Ali, M, Chishti, AN, Ali, M, Iqbal, S, Aman, S, Mahmood, A, Liu, H, Yousaf, M & Jiang, Y 2025, 'Recent development in sodium metal batteries: challenges, progress, and perspective', Materials Today, vol. 88, pp. 730-751.
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Angeloski, A, Galaviz, P, Mole, RA, Piltz, RO, McDonagh, AM, Ennis, C & Appadoo, D 2025, 'Manipulating a Thermosalient Crystal Using Selective Deuteration', Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 147, no. 9, pp. 8032-8047.
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Bai, Z, Wang, Z, Wang, T, Wu, Z, Gao, X, Bai, Y, Wang, G & Sun, K 2025, 'Cation‐Vacancy Engineering Modulated Perovskite Oxide for Boosting Electrocatalytic Conversion of Polysulfides', Advanced Functional Materials, vol. 35, no. 14.
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AbstractLithium‐sulfur batteries face challenges like polysulfide shuttle and slow conversion kinetics, hindering their practical applications in renewable energy storage and electric vehicles. Herein, a solution to solve this issue is reported by using a cation vacancy engineering strategy with rational synthesis of La‐deficient LaCoO3 (LCO‐VLa). The introduction of cation vacancies in LCO‐VLa modifies the geometric structure of coordinating atoms, exposing Co‐rich surface with more catalytically active surfaces. Meanwhile, the d‐band center of LCO‐VLa shifts toward the Fermi level, enhancing polysulfide adsorption. Furthermore, multivalent cobalt ions (Co3+/Co4+) induced by charge compensation enhance the electrical conductivity of LCO‐VLa, accelerating electron transfer processes and improving catalytic performance. Theoretical calculations and experimental characterizations demonstrate that La‐deficient LCO‐VLa effectively suppresses the polysulfide shuttle, reduces the energy barrier for polysulfide conversion, and accelerates redox reaction kinetics. LCO‐VLa‐based batteries demonstrate exceptional rate performance and cycling stability, retaining 70% capacity after nearly 500 cycles at 1.0 C, with a minimal decay rate of 0.055% per cycle. These findings highlight the significance of cation vacancy engineering for exploring precise structure‐activity relationships during polysulfides conversion, facilitating the rational design of catalysts at the atomic level for lithium‐sulfur batteries.
Bokshi, B, Chen, H & Ung, AT 2025, 'Antidiabetic property of fractions and pure compounds from Andrographis paniculata', Natural Product Research, vol. 39, no. 5, pp. 1101-1110.
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Brockbals, L, Ueland, M, Fu, S & Padula, MP 2025, 'Development and thorough evaluation of a multi-omics sample preparation workflow for comprehensive LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics, lipidomics and proteomics datasets', Talanta, vol. 286, pp. 127442-127442.
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Cao, X, Sun, L, Pan, F, Wu, Z, Li, D, Nie, X, Li, X, Huang, P, Gao, L, Gong, C, Zhao, Y, Cai, Q, Zhang, J, Wang, G & Liu, H 2025, 'Revealing the roles of oxidation states and constituents of the alloy in alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction', Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy, vol. 375, pp. 125415-125415.
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Cashel, J, Yan, D, Han, R, Jeong, H, Yoon, CW, Ambay, JA, Liu, Y, Ung, AT, Yang, L & Huang, Z 2025, 'Chemical Bonds Containing Hydrogen: Choices for Hydrogen Carriers and Catalysts', Angewandte Chemie International Edition, vol. 64, no. 21.
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AbstractCompounds containing B─H, C─H, N─H, or O─H bonds with high hydrogen content have been extensively studied as potential hydrogen carriers. Their hydrogen storage performance is largely determined by the nature of these bonds, decomposition pathways, and the properties of the dehydrogenation products. Among these compounds, methanol, cyclohexane, and ammonia stand out due to their low costs and established infrastructure, making them promising hydrogen carriers for large‐scale storage and transport. They offer viable pathways for decarbonizing society by enabling hydrogen to serve as a clean energy source. However, several challenges persist, including the high temperatures required for (de)hydrogenation, slow kinetics, and the reliance on costly catalysts. To address these issues, strategies such as chemical modification and catalyst development are being pursued to improve hydrogen cycling performance. This review highlights recent progress in hydrogen carriers with B─H, C─H, N─H, or O─H bonds. It examines the fundamental characteristics of these bonds and carriers, as well as advances in catalyst development. Our objective is to offer a comprehensive understanding of current state of hydrogen carriers and identify future research directions, such as molecular modification and system optimization. Innovations in these areas are crucial to advance hydrogen storage technologies for a large‐scale hydrogen deployment.
Cashel, J, Yan, D, Han, R, Jeong, H, Yoon, CW, Ambay, JA, Liu, Y, Ung, AT, Yang, L & Huang, Z 2025, 'Chemical Bonds Containing Hydrogen: Choices for Hydrogen Carriers and Catalysts', Angewandte Chemie, vol. 137, no. 21.
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AbstractCompounds containing B─H, C─H, N─H, or O─H bonds with high hydrogen content have been extensively studied as potential hydrogen carriers. Their hydrogen storage performance is largely determined by the nature of these bonds, decomposition pathways, and the properties of the dehydrogenation products. Among these compounds, methanol, cyclohexane, and ammonia stand out due to their low costs and established infrastructure, making them promising hydrogen carriers for large‐scale storage and transport. They offer viable pathways for decarbonizing society by enabling hydrogen to serve as a clean energy source. However, several challenges persist, including the high temperatures required for (de)hydrogenation, slow kinetics, and the reliance on costly catalysts. To address these issues, strategies such as chemical modification and catalyst development are being pursued to improve hydrogen cycling performance. This review highlights recent progress in hydrogen carriers with B─H, C─H, N─H, or O─H bonds. It examines the fundamental characteristics of these bonds and carriers, as well as advances in catalyst development. Our objective is to offer a comprehensive understanding of current state of hydrogen carriers and identify future research directions, such as molecular modification and system optimization. Innovations in these areas are crucial to advance hydrogen storage technologies for a large‐scale hydrogen deployment.
Hu, L, Wan, T, Guan, X, Li, Z, Mei, T, Dong, B, Gao, L, Chen, C, Li, X, Lin, C, Li, M, Chen, F, Su, D, Han, Z, Xu, H, Huang, S, Peng, S, Wu, T & Chu, D 2025, 'Ligand Engineering Enables Bifacial PbS All‐QD Homojunction Photodiodes', Advanced Functional Materials, vol. 35, no. 16.
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AbstractInfrared PbS quantum dot (QD) photodiodes play a vital role in various applications, including photovoltaics, light‐emitting diodes, lasers, and photodetectors. Despite their superior potential, high‐performance all‐QD homojunction photodiodes with bifacial structures have yet to be reported. Here, post‐treatment ligand engineering is successfully employed to precisely tune the doping dipoles of PbS QDs, transitioning them from n‐type, through intrinsic, to p‐type. All‐QD homojunction photodiodes solar cells with a n‐i‐p architecture are constructed by integrating three types of PbS QD layers of 1.37 eV bandgaps with controllable doping dipoles, which delivers a power conversion efficiency of 10.0%, among the highest values reported in PbS all‐QD homojunction solar cells so far. Owing to symmetry all‐QD architecture, bifacial PbS all‐QDs photodiodes, using 1.37 eV bandgap PbS QDs as both n‐type and p‐type charge transport layers and 0.90 eV bandgap PbS QDs as intrinsic light absorber layers, achieved an almost ideal bifactor approaching 93% and decent detectivities of 1.63 × 1011 Jones from ITO illumination and 1.86 × 1011 Jones from silver nanowire (Ag NW) illumination at 1370 nm. Therefore, this work provides a facile approach for the design of bifacial all‐QD homojunction photodiodes, broadening their potential applications in advanced QD optoelectronic systems.
Huang, C, Yu, J, Yue Zhang, C, Cui, Z, He, R, Yang, L, Nan, B, Li, C, Qi, X, Qi, X, Li, J, Yuan Zhou, J, Usoltsev, O, Simonelli, L, Arbiol, J, Lei, Y, Sun, Q, Wang, G & Cabot, A 2025, 'Anionic Doping in Layered Transition Metal Chalcogenides for Robust Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries', Angewandte Chemie International Edition, vol. 64, no. 8.
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AbstractLithium‐sulfur batteries (LSBs) are among the most promising next‐generation energy storage technologies. However, a slow Li−S reaction kinetics at the LSB cathode limit their energy and power densities. To address these challenges, this study introduces an anionic‐doped transition metal chalcogenide as an effective catalyst to accelerate the Li−S reaction. Specifically, a tellurium‐doped, carbon‐supported bismuth selenide with Se vacancies (Te−Bi2Se3–x@C) is prepared and tested as a sulfur host in LSB cathodes. X‐ray absorption and in situ X‐ray diffraction analyses reveal that Te doping induces lattice distortions and modulates the local coordination environment and electronic structure of Bi atoms to promote the catalytic activity toward the conversion of polysulfides. Additionally, the generated Se vacancies alter the electronic structure around atomic defect sites, increase the carrier concentration, and activate unpaired cations to effectively trap polysulfides. As a result, LSBs based on Te−Bi2Se3–x@C/S cathodes demonstrate outstanding specific capacities of 1508 mAh ⋅ g−1 at 0.1 C, excellent rate performance with 655 mAh ⋅ g−1 at 5 C, and near‐integral cycle stability over 1000 cycles. Furthermore, under high sulfur loading of 6.4 mg ⋅ cm−2, a cathode capacity exceeding 8 mAh ⋅ cm−2 is sustained at 0.1 C current rate, with 6.4 mAh ⋅ cm−2 retained after 300 cycles under lean electrolyte conditions (6.8 μL ⋅ mg−1).
Insuasty, A, Carrara, S, Vu, D, Montalvo-Acosta, JJ, Ortíz, A, Hogan, C, McNeill, CR & Langford, SJ 2025, 'Synthesis and evaluation of new isoquinoline diimide derivatives as small molecule acceptors for organic solar cells', Tetrahedron, vol. 178, pp. 134616-134616.
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Irvine, CP, Murdoch, BJ, Field, MR, Matar, F, Phillips, MR & Ton-That, C 2025, 'Indentation-induced formation of vacancy defects in β-Ga2O3 crystals', Applied Surface Science, vol. 712, pp. 164217-164217.
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Kim, J, Li, M, Lin, C, Hu, L, Wan, T, Saeed, A, Guan, P, Feng, Z, Kumeria, T, Tang, J, Su, D, Wu, T & Chu, D 2025, 'Synergetic Phase Modulation and N‐Doping of MoS2 for Highly Sensitive Flexible NO2 Sensors', Advanced Science, vol. 12, no. 4.
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AbstractMolybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a promising electronic material owing to its excellent electrochemical features, high carrier mobility at room temperature, and widely tunable electronic properties. Here, through precursor engineering and post‐treatments to tailor their phase and doping, electronic characteristics of MoS2 are significantly modified. It is found that 2H semiconductor phase with nitrogen doping (N‐doping) in flexible gas sensors constructed with Ag electrodes exhibits the highest sensitivity of ≈2500% toward 10 ppm of NO2. This sensitivity is ≈17‐ and 417‐folds higher than that of 2H MoS2 without N‐doping, and mixed phases with metallic 1T and semiconductor 2H phase, respectively. Comprehensive experimental investigations reveal mechanisms underlying this record sensitivity, that is, the use of N‐doped 2H MoS2 sensors not only significantly suppresses dark current but also effectively enhances electron transfer to NO2 molecules. Moreover, density function theory calculations underpin the experimental results, confirming that N2H4 molecules from the precursor solution not only promote phase transition but also enable N‐doping during post‐treatments, thus boosting sensing capability. This work, for the first time, reveals the synergistic effect of phase modulation and N‐doping of MoS2, which can be readily used in other flexible electronic applications, advancing MoS2‐based electronics to a new stage.
Li, M, Cai, J, Deng, L, Li, X, Iacopi, F & Yang, Y 2025, 'Additively manufactured conductive and dielectric 3D metasurfaces for independent manipulation of broadband orbital angular momentum', Materials & Design, vol. 249, pp. 113500-113500.
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Liu, C, Ye, C, Wang, J, Yang, T, Ni, A, Zhang, T, Mao, K, Chen, L, Wang, S, Sun, J, Zhang, W, Wang, X, Che, J, Xiong, P, Wang, G & Zhu, J 2025, 'Molecular-Scale Asymmetry Nanochannels for High-Efficiency Osmotic Energy Generation', Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 147, no. 32, pp. 29179-29191.
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Liu, F, Shi, P, Shi, G, Yu, D, Sun, X, Li, L, Huang, Z & Wu, Y 2025, 'High-performance microwave absorber by boron carbon nitride', Surfaces and Interfaces, vol. 66, pp. 106549-106549.
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Liu, G, Ghasemi, M, Wei, Q, Zhang, G, Luo, J, Su, D, Jia, B, Yang, Y & Wen, X 2025, 'How Lattice Strain Affects Nonradiative Recombination and Mobility in FAPbI3', ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, vol. 17, no. 25, pp. 36706-36716.
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The lattice strain resulting from the fabrication process in hybrid organic-inorganic halide perovskites (HOIPs) and its dynamic changes under illumination are the key factors that affect the efficiency and intrinsic stability of HOIP-based solar cells. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive and in-depth understanding regarding how lattice strain influences the dynamic behavior and transport properties of charge carriers in organic-inorganic halide perovskites (HOIPs), as well as how light illumination triggers lattice strain. Here, our simulation results indicate that a 1% compressive stress delays hot electron cooling and increases the electron mobility by around 50%, while a 1% tensile stress accelerates cooling and reduces the electron mobility by about 37%. Additionally, both compressive and tensile strains accelerate electron-hole recombination. These important phenomena are mainly attributed to the modulation effect of strain on the thermal vibration of the lattice and the energy-level redistribution. Additionally, the research also reveals that the photoinduced dynamic lattice strain is due to the changes in Pb-I bonds jointly driven by the electron-phonon interaction and anharmonic lattice characteristics of HOIPs. This work provides new and systematic insights into the influence of strain on carrier dynamics and transport properties in HOIPs, which holds significant implications for enhancing the efficiency and stability of HOIP-based solar cells.
Liu, M, Song, A, Zhang, X, Wang, J, Fan, Y, Wang, G, Tian, H, Ma, Z & Shao, G 2025, 'Interfacial lithium-ion transportation in solid-state batteries: Challenges and prospects', Nano Energy, vol. 136, pp. 110749-110749.
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Lu, J, Chen, Y, Lei, Y, Jaumaux, P, Tian, H & Wang, G 2025, 'Quasi-Solid Gel Electrolytes for Alkali Metal Battery Applications', Nano-Micro Letters, vol. 17, no. 1.
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Abstract Alkali metal batteries (AMBs) have undergone substantial development in portable devices due to their high energy density and durable cycle performance. However, with the rising demand for smart wearable electronic devices, a growing focus on safety and durability becomes increasingly apparent. An effective strategy to address these increased requirements involves employing the quasi-solid gel electrolytes (QSGEs). This review focuses on the application of QSGEs in AMBs, emphasizing four types of gel electrolytes and their influence on battery performance and stability. First, self-healing gels are discussed to prolong battery life and enhance safety through self-repair mechanisms. Then, flexible gels are explored for their mechanical flexibility, making them suitable for wearable devices and flexible electronics. In addition, biomimetic gels inspired by natural designs are introduced for high-performance AMBs. Furthermore, biomass materials gels are presented, derived from natural biomaterials, offering environmental friendliness and biocompatibility. Finally, the perspectives and challenges for future developments are discussed in terms of enhancing the ionic conductivity, mechanical strength, and environmental stability of novel gel materials. The review underscores the significant contributions of these QSGEs in enhancing AMBs performance, including increased lifespan, safety, and adaptability, providing new insights and directions for future research and applications in the field.
Ma, C, Tang, X, Ben, H, Jiang, W, Shao, X, Wang, G & Sun, B 2025, 'Promoting Reaction Kinetics and Boosting Sodium Storage Capability via Constructing Stable Heterostructures for Sodium‐Ion Batteries', Advanced Functional Materials, vol. 35, no. 2.
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AbstractConstructing heterostructures containing multiple active components is proven to be an efficient strategy for enhancing the sodium storage capability of anode materials in sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). However, performance enhancement is often attributed to the unclear synergistic effects among the active components. A comprehensive understanding of the reaction mechanisms on the interfaces at the atomic level remains elusive. Herein, the carbon‐coated Fe3Se4/CoSe (Fe3Se4/CoSe‐C) anode material as a model featuring atomic‐scale contact interfaces is synthesized. This unique heterogeneous architecture offers an adjustable electronic structure, which facilitates rapid reaction kinetics and enhances structural integrity. In situ microscopic and ex situ spectral characterization techniques, along with theoretical simulations, confirm that the heterointerface with strong electric fields promotes Na+ ion migration. Based on solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, an interface charge storage mechanism is revealed, resulting in the enhanced specific capacity of the anode materials. When employed as an anode in SIBs, the Fe3Se4/CoSe‐C electrode demonstrates excellent rate capabilities (218 mAh g−1 at 7 A g−1) and prolonged cycling stability (258 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1 after 1000 cycles). This work highlights the significance of heterointerface engineering in electrode material design for rechargeable batteries.
Ma, W, Cui, X, Chen, Y, Wan, S, Zhao, S, Gong, J, Wang, G & Chen, S 2025, 'Designing a Refined Multi‐Structural Polymer Electrolyte Framework for Highly Stable Lithium‐Metal Batteries', Angewandte Chemie International Edition, vol. 64, no. 3.
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AbstractRational structural designs of solid polymer electrolytes featuring rich interface‐phase morphologies can improve electrolyte connection and rapid ion transport. However, these rigid interfacial structures commonly result in diminished or entirely inert ionic conductivity within their bulk phase, compromising overall electrolyte performance. Herein, a multi‐component ion‐conductive electrolyte was successfully designed based on a refined multi‐structural polymer electrolyte (RMSPE) framework with uniform Li+ solvation chemistry and rapid Li+ transporting kinetics. The RMSPE framework is constructed via polymerization‐induced phase separation based on a rational combination of lithiophilic components and rigid/flexible chain units with significant hydrophobic/hydrophilic contrasts. Further refined by coating a robust polymer network, this all‐organic design endows a homogeneous micro‐nano porous structure, providing a novel framework favorable for rapid ion transport in both its soft interfacial and bulk phases. The RMSPE exhibited excellent ion conductivity of 1.91 mS cm−1 at room temperature and a high Li+ transference number of 0.7. Assembled symmetrical Li cells realized stable cycling for over 2400 h at 3.0 mA cm−2. LiFePO4 full batteries demonstrated a long lifespan of 3300 cycles with a capacity retention of 93.5 % and stable cycling performance at −35 °C. This innovative design concept offers a promising perspective for achieving high‐performance polymer‐based Li metal batteries.
Mao, K, Liu, C, Ni, A, Wang, J, Sun, J, Wang, G, Xiong, P & Zhu, J 2025, 'Optimization of ion transport in two-dimensional nanofluidic membranes for osmotic energy conversion', Materials Today, vol. 82, pp. 274-288.
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Matar, F, Salih, AK, Sandana, VE, Teherani, FH, Phillips, MR, Rogers, DJ & Ton-That, C 2025, 'Structural and Electronic Properties of β-(AlxGa1–x)2O3 Active Layers for Space-Qualified Solar-Blind Photodetectors', ACS Applied Electronic Materials, vol. 7, no. 14, pp. 6469-6475.
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Moodley, C, Mallick, K, Muller, A & Williams, DBG 2025, 'Transition‐ and Lanthanide‐Metal‐Based Coordination Polymers Offer Efficient Methylene Blue Adsorption', ChemistrySelect, vol. 10, no. 4.
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AbstractThis study presents a novel approach toward wastewater remediation via the synthesis of a series of coordination polymers that combine benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid, benzene‐1,4‐dihydroxamic acid, and 5‐nitroisophthalic acid linkers with Cu, Cr, Ce, and La metal salts to target efficient methylene blue removal. Through a detailed characterization process using techniques like ¹H NMR, PXRD, FTIR, TGA, SEM‐EDX, ICP‐OES, and BET, the structural and surface properties of these CPs were optimized for stability and enhanced adsorption performance. Notably, the CPs exhibited rapid MB adsorption within 10 min and followed pseudo‐second‐order kinetics, indicating a chemisorption‐driven process. This work advances the field by demonstrating that increased pH significantly improves adsorption capacity and that the Sips model best describes the heterogeneous adsorptive behavior, highlighting a mixed Langmuir–Freundlich mechanism. Furthermore, stability and reusability studies revealed minimal metal leaching in the best‐performing CPs, addressing critical environmental concerns around long‐term CP use. This integrated approach not only fills vital knowledge gaps in CP‐based dye adsorption kinetics but also underscores the potential of these materials as sustainable, scalable, and effective solutions for real‐world water treatment applications.
Rafiezadeh, S, Irvine, C, Salih, AK, Mousavi, M, Phillips, MR, Ghasemian, MB & Ton-That, C 2025, 'Enhanced Luminescence and Photocatalytic Activity in Highly Inverted Spinel ZnGa2O4 Nanoplates', ACS Applied Nano Materials, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 1033-1041.
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Ran, X, Gong, Y, Zeng, H, Bai, Y, Li, S, Zhang, L, Fu, H, An, X, Su, D & Yang, X 2025, 'Carbon dots enhance photoelectrochemical water splitting activity of SrTiO3 nanoparticles: Band tuning and excellent charge separation', Applied Surface Science, vol. 701, pp. 163262-163262.
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Salih, AK, Fiedler, S, Irvine, CP, Matar, F, Phillips, MR & Ton-That, C 2025, 'Defect passivation and enhanced UV emission in β-Ga2O3 via remote fluorine plasma treatment', Applied Surface Science, vol. 687, pp. 162250-162250.
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Summers, PK & McDonagh, AM 2025, 'Alkynide-stabilised gold nanoparticles: a synthetic investigation', Nano Futures, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 021001-021001.
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Abstract Alkyne compounds have emerged as promising stabilising ligands for gold nanoparticles, with potential applications in sensing, catalysis and biological imaging. Several examples of alkynide-stabilised gold nanoparticles have been reported although most use a mixed-ligand system that requires additional stabilising agents. Thus, a facile and size controllable synthesis of gold nanoparticles stabilised exclusively with alkyne compounds is highly desirable. Here we report dec-1-ynide@AuNPs that were synthesised by reduction of a Au(I) dec-1-ynide complex to give nanoparticles with diameter of ∼3.4 nm and are stable in air for up to 2 months. 1H NMR spectra indicate that the particles have a shell that contains gold(I) species surrounding a core of gold(0) atoms. The synthetic technique was modified to increase the size of the AuNPs but the larger AuNPs were stabilised predominantly by tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOAB). Methods that utilised reduction of Au(III) chloride with the phase transfer agent TOAB resulted in bidisperse AuNPs with diameters of ∼9 nm and ∼3 nm. Variation of the synthesis conditions did not have a significant effect on the particle sizes and residual TOAB was required to maintain particle stability.
Tou, K, Cawley, A, Noble, G, Loy, J, Bishop, D, Keledjian, J, Sornalingam, K, Richards, S & Fu, S 2025, 'Lipid and Corticosteroid Biomarkers Under the Influence of Bisphosphonates', Drug Testing and Analysis, vol. 17, no. 7, pp. 1107-1117.
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ABSTRACTDetecting the use of bisphosphonates (BPs) in equine athletes is of interest to regulators and laboratories due to the threat to welfare issues for the potential to provide analgesic effects and manipulating bone structure. The detection of BPs in biological matrices is challenging due to erratic biological elimination and inconsistent analytical recoveries. Therefore, complementary approaches are needed to provide evidence of their misuse in racehorses. BPs have two sub‐classes: nitrogenous and non‐nitrogenous. This study investigated plasma elimination following administration of one example from each sub‐class, together with changes in endogenous eicosanoid and corticosteroids. Zoledronic acid (ZA) and tiludronic acid (TA) were administered by IV infusion to 8 thoroughbred horses with an 11‐month washout period between each administration. Sample preparation for quantification of BPs by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) utilised a two‐step solid phase extraction (SPE) consisting of polymeric reversed‐phase followed by weak anion exchange prior to derivatisation using trimethyl orthoacetate. Endogenous biomarkers were analysed after protein precipitation and SPE with polymeric reversed‐phase prior to liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (LC‐HRMS) using data independent acquisition. The LC–MS/MS analysis showed ZA was undetectable after 8 h post‐administration while TA was detected up to the final collection point of 28 days post‐administration. The LC‐HRMS analysis utilised targeted (i.e., prior inclusion list of compounds) approaches to monitor level changes of eicosanoid and corticosteroid biomarkers. Putative biomarkers were identified and now subject to validation for translation into routine sample analysis for improved retrospectivity to detecting BP misuse in equine plasma.
Wang, H, Wang, D, Jiang, H, Chen, X, Liu, X, Sun, B & Wang, Y 2025, 'Numerical simulation of lithium dendrite growth in lithium metal batteries: Effect of superimposed AC/DC electric fields on dendrites suppression', Journal of Power Sources, vol. 640, pp. 236721-236721.
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Wang, L, Wang, L, Wang, H, Dong, H, Sun, W, Lv, L, Yang, C, Xiao, Y, Wu, F, Wang, Y, Chou, S, Sun, B, Wang, G & Chen, S 2025, 'Progress and Perspective of High‐Entropy Strategy Applied in Layered Transition Metal Oxide Cathode Materials for High‐Energy and Long Cycle Life Sodium‐Ion Batteries', Advanced Functional Materials, vol. 35, no. 11.
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AbstractLayered transition metal oxide (LTMO) cathode materials of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have shown great potential in large‐scale energy storage applications owing to their distinctive periodic layered structure and 2D ion diffusion channels. However, several challenges have hindered their widespread application, including phase transition complexities, interface instability, and susceptibility to air exposure. Fortunately, an impactful solution has emerged in the form of a high‐entropy doping strategy employed in energy storage research. Through the implementation of high‐entropy doping, LTMOs can overcome the aforementioned limitations, thereby elevating LTMO materials to a highly competitive and attractive option for next‐generation cathodes of SIBs. Thus, a comprehensive overview of the origins, definition, and characteristics of high‐entropy doping is provided. Additionally, the challenges associated with LTMOs in SIBs are explored, and discussed various modification methods to address these challenges. This review places significant emphasis on conducting a thorough analysis of the research advancements about high‐entropy LTMOs utilized in SIBs. Furthermore, a meticulous assessment of the future development trajectory is undertaken, heralding valuable research insights for the design and synthesis of advanced energy storage materials.
Xiao, J, Gao, H, Xiao, Y, Wang, S, Gong, C, Huang, Z, Sun, B, Dong, C-L, Guo, X, Liu, H & Wang, G 2025, 'A hydro-stable and phase-transition-free P2-type cathode with superior cycling stability for high-voltage sodium-ion batteries', Chemical Engineering Journal, vol. 506, pp. 160010-160010.
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Yang, T, Shen, T, Liang, Y, Fang, M, Wu, H, Sheng, O, Chen, H, Dong, C, Ji, H, Zhang, J, Zheng, R, Liu, H, Wang, G & Zhang, X 2025, 'Synergistic regulation of de-solvation effect and planar deposition via in-situ interface engineering for ultra-stable dendrite-free Zn-ion batteries', Energy Storage Materials, vol. 80, pp. 104411-104411.
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Zhang, D, Gao, H, Li, J, Sun, Y, Deng, Z, Yuan, X, Li, C, Chen, T, Peng, X, Wang, C, Xu, Y, Yang, L, Guo, X, Zhao, Y, Huang, P, Wang, Y, Wang, G & Liu, H 2025, 'Plasma-enhanced vacancy engineering for sustainable high-performance recycled silicon in lithium-ion batteries', Energy Storage Materials, vol. 77, pp. 104231-104231.
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Zhang, G, Gao, H, Zhang, D, Xiao, J, Sun, L, Li, J, Li, C, Sun, Y, Yuan, X, Huang, P, Xu, Y, Guo, X, Zhao, Y, Wang, Y, Xiao, Y, Wang, G & Liu, H 2025, 'Transformative Catalytic Carbon Conversion Enabling Superior Graphitization and Nanopore Engineering in Hard Carbon Anodes for Sodium‐Ion Batteries', Carbon Energy, vol. 7, no. 6.
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ABSTRACTHard carbons are promising anode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), but they face challenges in balancing rate capability, specific capacity, and initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE). Direct pyrolysis of the precursor often fails to create a suitable structure for sodium‐ion storage. Molecular‐level control of graphitization with open channels for Na+ ions is crucial for high‐performance hard carbon, whereas closed pores play a key role in improving the low‐voltage (< 0.1 V) plateau capacity of hard carbon anodes for SIBs. However, creation of these closed pores presents significant challenges. This work proposes a zinc gluconate‐assisted catalytic carbonization strategy to regulate graphitization and create numerous nanopores simultaneously. As the temperature increases, trace amounts of zinc remain as single atoms in the hard carbon, featuring a uniform coordination structure. This mitigates the risk of electrochemically irreversible sites and enhances sodium‐ion transport rates. The resulting hard carbon shows an excellent reversible capacity of 348.5 mAh g−1 at 30 mA g−1 and a high ICE of 92.84%. Furthermore, a sodium storage mechanism involving “adsorption–intercalation–pore filling” is elucidated, providing insights into the pore structure and dynamic pore‐filling process.
Zheng, K, Gao, X, Xie, Y, He, Z, Ma, Y, Hou, S, Su, D & Ma, X 2025, 'Free-standing bimetallic Co/Ni-MOF foams toward enhanced methane dry reforming under non-thermal plasma catalysis', Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, vol. 683, pp. 564-573.
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Zhou, C, Ding, Z, Ying, S, Jiang, H, Wang, Y, Fang, T, Zhang, Y, Sun, B, Tang, X & Liu, X 2025, 'Electrode/Electrolyte Optimization-Induced Double-Layered Architecture for High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-(Dual) Halogen Batteries', Nano-Micro Letters, vol. 17, no. 1.
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Abstract Aqueous zinc-halogen batteries are promising candidates for large-scale energy storage due to their abundant resources, intrinsic safety, and high theoretical capacity. Nevertheless, the uncontrollable zinc dendrite growth and spontaneous shuttle effect of active species have prohibited their practical implementation. Herein, a double-layered protective film based on zinc-ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphonic acid (ZEA) artificial film and ZnF2-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer has been successfully fabricated on the zinc metal anode via electrode/electrolyte synergistic optimization. The ZEA-based artificial film shows strong affinity for the ZnF2-rich SEI layer, therefore effectively suppressing the SEI breakage and facilitating the construction of double-layered protective film on the zinc metal anode. Such double-layered architecture not only modulates Zn2+ flux and suppresses the zinc dendrite growth, but also blocks the direct contact between the metal anode and electrolyte, thus mitigating the corrosion from the active species. When employing optimized metal anodes and electrolytes, the as-developed zinc-(dual) halogen batteries present high areal capacity and satisfactory cycling stability. This work provides a new avenue for developing aqueous zinc-(dual) halogen batteries.
Zhou, X, Cao, K, Huang, S, Wu, H, Cao, Z, Liu, H, Chen, P, Su, D, Wang, G, Wang, T, Wang, C & Pang, H 2025, 'Synergistic Conversion of Hydrogen Peroxide and Benzaldehyde in Air by Silver Single‐Atom Modified Thiophene‐Functionalized g‐C3N4', Angewandte Chemie International Edition, vol. 64, no. 25.
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AbstractThis study reports the synthesis of silver single‐atom‐loaded thiophene‐conjugated carbon nitride (Ag@T─C3N4), a material with high carrier concentration and efficient carrier separation. Under visible light, Ag@T─C3N4 catalyzes hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production and benzyl alcohol oxidation to benzaldehyde, achieving production rates of 4729.82 µmol·g−1·h−1 for H2O2 and 19.71 mmol·g−1·h−1 for benzaldehyde. The synergy between thiophene conjugation and silver atoms extends visible light absorption and accelerates the 2‐electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), enhancing H2O2 yield. Photogenerated holes oxidize benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde, while the biphasic benzaldehyde‐water system enables spontaneous product separation. In situ Raman spectroscopy, rotating disk electrode testing, EPR, GC‐MS, and DFT calculations highlight the critical role of thiophene‐silver synergy in optimizing reaction pathways, enhancing catalyst‐intermediate interactions, and reducing Gibbs free energy, improving H2O2 and benzaldehyde synthesis. This study provides new insights for designing carbon nitride‐based photocatalysts and offers a strategy for co‐producing value‐added chemicals.
Zhu, M, Ran, X, Li, S, Fu, H, An, X, Su, D & Yang, X 2025, 'Revealing the multiple roles of Ti3C2 MXene as co-catalysts in CdZnS based photocatalytic HER process', International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 143, pp. 25-36.
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Ultrathin 2D Ti3C2 MXene, with excellent metal conductivity, full-spectrum light absorption and rich reaction sites, has attracted much attention in photocatalytic applications. However, there is still a lack of in-depth understanding of the influencing factors of Ti3C2 MXene in the whole catalytic process. This work applies electrostatic driving self-assembly and hydrothermal methods to anchor 1D CdZnS nanorods on the surface of ultrathin 2D Ti3C2 MXene to form a Schottky heterojunction, which alleviates the agglomeration of CdZnS nanorods. Moreover, the ultrathin 2D Ti3C2 MXene effectively attracts photogenerated electrons, thereby suppressing the electron-hole recombination and enhancing the utilization efficiency of photo-generated charge carriers of CdZnS. As expected, the results indicate that CZS-1.0 TC (CdZnS modified with 1 % Ti3C2 MXene) exhibits the highest hydrogen evolution rate (13.87 mmol g−1h−1 under simulated solar light, 12.33 mmol g−1h−1 under visible light) among all samples, which is nearly 8 times higher than that of the pristine CdZnS. The enhanced performance originates from the synergistic effect between ultrathin 2D Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets and CdZnS semiconductor. A series of characterization and DFT calculations were conducted to elucidate the band structure, hydrophilicity and electric structure of the CdZnS/Ti3C2 MXene based photocatalysts, aiming to comprehensively understand the role of Ti3C2 MXene as a co-catalyst in photocatalytic HER process.
Zhuang, C, Yang, J, Yin, B, Zhu, L, Sun, Y, Li, H, Li, J, Zhang, L, Meng, F, Duan, X, Su, D, Zhang, S & Ma, T 2025, 'Continuous multivariate conversion processes for stabilized anode in aqueous zinc-ion battery', Energy Storage Materials, vol. 80, pp. 104395-104395.
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The performance of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) is often hindered by issues at the electrode/electrolyte interface, such as dendrite growth and unwanted byproducts. In this study, we applied pyridoxine (PN) and used in situ UV‒vis spectroscopy to observe its multistep transformation. The pristine protonated pyridoxine (PN+) gradually lost a proton connecting to the N atom and became PN due to the applying voltage bias. Then PN kept lost a proton that connected to the O atom, changing to a higher electronegativity variant named PN-. The final variant maintained its state and possibly coordinated with zinc ion, and bonded to H+. Relying on the continuous multivariate conversion processes, these transformed PN variants can release H+ ions to maintain pH balance at the interface and interact strongly with zinc ions, improving the zinc ion solvation structure and reducing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Additionally, as-generated higher electronegativity variants formed an electrostatic shielding layer on the Zn electrode, promoting uniform zinc deposition and enhancing the plating/stripping process. As proof of continuous multivariate conversion processes, Zn||Zn symmetric batteries operated stably for 7000 h at 1 mA cm–2 and 1 mAh cm–2, and Zn||NH4V4O10 (NVO) full batteries showed excellent stability over 1500 cycles. These results significantly outperformed those using the ZnSO4 (ZS) electrolyte and previously reported systems. This work suggests a promising approach for advancing various metal batteries towards commercialization, not limited to AZIBs.
