Developing efficient and low-cost materials for versatile energy storage and conversion applications remains a crucial challenge. In this work, boron (B) and aluminum (Al) co-doped copper oxide (CuO) nanostructures were successfully synthesized via a rapid microwave-assisted method. This simple and energy-efficient approach produced homogeneous, defect-rich CuO with tunable electronic and structural properties. The synergistic effects of B and Al co-doping effectively modulated the crystal structure and charge-transfer behavior, leading to improved electrochemical and catalytic performance. The optimized co-doped CuO electrode exhibited a high specific capacitance and diffusion-controlled charge storage. The assembled hybrid supercapacitor delivered an areal energy density of 151.9 μWh cm−2 at 700 μW cm−2, with 89.5 % capacitance retention and 97.0 % Coulombic efficiency after 10,000 cycles. As a bifunctional electrocatalyst, the same material showed low overpotentials of 129.5 mV (HER) and 327.2 mV (OER) vs. RHE, along with small Tafel slopes of 170.3 and 68.5 mV dec−1, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of B- and Al-co-doped CuO as a promising candidate for next-generation, high-performance, and cost-effective energy storage and conversion systems.
{"title":"Microwave-driven B/Al dual-doped CuO: A bifunctional material for hybrid supercapacitors and hydrogen/oxygen evolution reactions","authors":"Thanapat Jorn-am , Nichaphat Thongsai , Tanagorn Sangtawesin , Insik In , Peerasak Paoprasert","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01836","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01836","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Developing efficient and low-cost materials for versatile energy storage and conversion applications remains a crucial challenge. In this work, boron (B) and aluminum (Al) co-doped copper oxide (CuO) nanostructures were successfully synthesized via a rapid microwave-assisted method. This simple and energy-efficient approach produced homogeneous, defect-rich CuO with tunable electronic and structural properties. The synergistic effects of B and Al co-doping effectively modulated the crystal structure and charge-transfer behavior, leading to improved electrochemical and catalytic performance. The optimized co-doped CuO electrode exhibited a high specific capacitance and diffusion-controlled charge storage. The assembled hybrid supercapacitor delivered an areal energy density of 151.9 μWh cm<sup>−2</sup> at 700 μW cm<sup>−2</sup>, with 89.5 % capacitance retention and 97.0 % Coulombic efficiency after 10,000 cycles. As a bifunctional electrocatalyst, the same material showed low overpotentials of 129.5 mV (HER) and 327.2 mV (OER) vs. RHE, along with small Tafel slopes of 170.3 and 68.5 mV dec<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of B- and Al-co-doped CuO as a promising candidate for next-generation, high-performance, and cost-effective energy storage and conversion systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01836"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883841","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01838
Jiahao Yu , Yun Sun , Chuiyu Kong , Bin Chen , Yimin Ma , Zhongbiao He , Yongman Zhao , Xiaoshuan Zhang
As the global population continues to age at an accelerated pace, there is an urgent demand for advancements in lightweight, sustainable vital signs monitoring technologies tailored for the elderly demographic. Acoustic signals not only contain a wealth of physiological parameters but also serve as indicators of the onset and progression of various diseases. Compared to traditional rigid devices, flexible acoustic sensors offer an ideal technological pathway for next-generation vital signs monitoring and early disease screening due to their ultra-lightweight, high compliance, and excellent biocompatibility. This paper begins by systematically reviewing the working principles of various mechanisms such as piezoresistive, capacitive, piezoelectric, and triboelectric sensors, starting from the characteristics of acoustic propagation and signal transduction principles. It further elucidates how cutting-edge innovations in material selection, microstructure design, and manufacturing processes collaboratively enhance sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio, and long-term stability. Subsequently, the review highlights the latest advancements of flexible acoustic sensors in active and passive monitoring scenarios within respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems, while discussing their potential applications in real-time disease identification and personalized health interventions. Moreover, the article details the critical role of artificial intelligence algorithms, such as deep learning, in the extraction of acoustic signal features and pattern recognition, providing efficient and accurate decision support for clinical practitioners and patients. Despite significant progress in this field, challenges remain concerning material durability, device integration, and intelligence. To address these issues, this review proposes a series of future research directions and recommendations aimed at advancing flexible acoustic sensing technology toward true wearability, intelligence, and clinical translation.
{"title":"Frontier developments and challenges of smart wearable flexible acoustic sensors for sustainable vital sign monitoring","authors":"Jiahao Yu , Yun Sun , Chuiyu Kong , Bin Chen , Yimin Ma , Zhongbiao He , Yongman Zhao , Xiaoshuan Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01838","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01838","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As the global population continues to age at an accelerated pace, there is an urgent demand for advancements in lightweight, sustainable vital signs monitoring technologies tailored for the elderly demographic. Acoustic signals not only contain a wealth of physiological parameters but also serve as indicators of the onset and progression of various diseases. Compared to traditional rigid devices, flexible acoustic sensors offer an ideal technological pathway for next-generation vital signs monitoring and early disease screening due to their ultra-lightweight, high compliance, and excellent biocompatibility. This paper begins by systematically reviewing the working principles of various mechanisms such as piezoresistive, capacitive, piezoelectric, and triboelectric sensors, starting from the characteristics of acoustic propagation and signal transduction principles. It further elucidates how cutting-edge innovations in material selection, microstructure design, and manufacturing processes collaboratively enhance sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio, and long-term stability. Subsequently, the review highlights the latest advancements of flexible acoustic sensors in active and passive monitoring scenarios within respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems, while discussing their potential applications in real-time disease identification and personalized health interventions. Moreover, the article details the critical role of artificial intelligence algorithms, such as deep learning, in the extraction of acoustic signal features and pattern recognition, providing efficient and accurate decision support for clinical practitioners and patients. Despite significant progress in this field, challenges remain concerning material durability, device integration, and intelligence. To address these issues, this review proposes a series of future research directions and recommendations aimed at advancing flexible acoustic sensing technology toward true wearability, intelligence, and clinical translation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01838"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840393","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Implantable nanoelectronics represent a rapidly advancing frontier at the intersection of nanotechnology, biomedical engineering, and neuroscience. Their miniature, flexible structures allow closer integration with soft tissues than conventional implants, enabling high-resolution interaction with cells, neural circuits and organ-level systems. The performance of these devices depends strongly on the biointerface, where material chemistry, mechanical matching and the surrounding physiological fluids collectively determine communication, stability and long-term compatibility. Although technological progress in microsystems, semiconductors and wireless communication has accelerated development, most earlier reviews address implantable electronics mainly from a device-engineering viewpoint and give limited attention to how biological environments, materials of construction or interface dynamics shape chronic implant behaviour. This review brings these aspects together by examining material selection, fabrication strategies and the biological microenvironment as an integrated framework. Particular focus is given to biocompatible polymers such as chitin, chitosan, gelatin, silk, cellulose and starch, along with emerging approaches for stable powering and wireless data transfer. Key challenges, including biochemical degradation, immune-driven encapsulation, power sustainability and in vivo signal reliability, are discussed to provide a clearer understanding of the factors that constrain clinical translation and guide the design of next-generation nano-scale implants.
{"title":"Implantable nanoelectronics: Material considerations and biointerface interactions","authors":"Piyas Bose, Debjani Ray, Sunil Kumar Sah, Santanu Kaity","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01837","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01837","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Implantable nanoelectronics represent a rapidly advancing frontier at the intersection of nanotechnology, biomedical engineering, and neuroscience. Their miniature, flexible structures allow closer integration with soft tissues than conventional implants, enabling high-resolution interaction with cells, neural circuits and organ-level systems. The performance of these devices depends strongly on the biointerface, where material chemistry, mechanical matching and the surrounding physiological fluids collectively determine communication, stability and long-term compatibility. Although technological progress in microsystems, semiconductors and wireless communication has accelerated development, most earlier reviews address implantable electronics mainly from a device-engineering viewpoint and give limited attention to how biological environments, materials of construction or interface dynamics shape chronic implant behaviour. This review brings these aspects together by examining material selection, fabrication strategies and the biological microenvironment as an integrated framework. Particular focus is given to biocompatible polymers such as chitin, chitosan, gelatin, silk, cellulose and starch, along with emerging approaches for stable powering and wireless data transfer. Key challenges, including biochemical degradation, immune-driven encapsulation, power sustainability and in vivo signal reliability, are discussed to provide a clearer understanding of the factors that constrain clinical translation and guide the design of next-generation nano-scale implants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01837"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839851","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-24DOI: 10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01831
Kai Zhang , Zhaoxin Zhang , Ningning Cao , Linji Li , Ningyan Peng , Yongli Shi , Guofei Dai , Xiaojin Zhang
Abstract
Photocatalytic degradation provides a promising sustainable solution for water purification, but its effectiveness is often limited by the low utilization efficiency of photogenerated reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although organic coatings such as fluorinated porous cyclodextrin polymers can adsorb target pollutants near the photocatalyst surfaces to enhance ROS efficiency and resist ROS attack, their hydrophobicity may limit the adsorption and degradation of hydrophilic organic pollutants. Here, we report a novel core-shell photocatalyst (His-CDP-TiO2) prepared by a simple synthesis process that encapsulates TiO2 nanoparticles in a high-swelling cyclodextrin polymer (His-CDP). This design utilizes the exceptional broad-spectrum pollutant enrichment ability of His-CDP hydrophilic-hydrophobic dual-functional network to rapidly concentrate pollutants near catalytic TiO2 core sites. This localized enhancement significantly improves the interfacial ROS utilization efficiency and promotes efficient “capture-and-degradation” process. Therefore, His-CDP-TiO2 exhibits significantly accelerated photodegradation kinetics towards hydrophilic/hydrophobic organic pollutants. For example, it degraded over 99 % of bisphenol A (BPA) within 180 min, with a degradation rate constant (0.025 min−1) 4.4 times higher than unmodified TiO2. The photodegradation pathway of BPA was elucidated by identifying and quantifying the oxidation intermediates generated by His-CDP-TiO2.
{"title":"Sustainable capture and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants by high-swelling cyclodextrin polymer loaded with TiO2 nanoparticles","authors":"Kai Zhang , Zhaoxin Zhang , Ningning Cao , Linji Li , Ningyan Peng , Yongli Shi , Guofei Dai , Xiaojin Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01831","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01831","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Abstract</div><div>Photocatalytic degradation provides a promising sustainable solution for water purification, but its effectiveness is often limited by the low utilization efficiency of photogenerated reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although organic coatings such as fluorinated porous cyclodextrin polymers can adsorb target pollutants near the photocatalyst surfaces to enhance ROS efficiency and resist ROS attack, their hydrophobicity may limit the adsorption and degradation of hydrophilic organic pollutants. Here, we report a novel core-shell photocatalyst (His-CDP-TiO<sub>2</sub>) prepared by a simple synthesis process that encapsulates TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles in a high-swelling cyclodextrin polymer (His-CDP). This design utilizes the exceptional broad-spectrum pollutant enrichment ability of His-CDP hydrophilic-hydrophobic dual-functional network to rapidly concentrate pollutants near catalytic TiO<sub>2</sub> core sites. This localized enhancement significantly improves the interfacial ROS utilization efficiency and promotes efficient “capture-and-degradation” process. Therefore, His-CDP-TiO<sub>2</sub> exhibits significantly accelerated photodegradation kinetics towards hydrophilic/hydrophobic organic pollutants. For example, it degraded over 99 % of bisphenol A (BPA) within 180 min, with a degradation rate constant (0.025 min<sup>−1</sup>) 4.4 times higher than unmodified TiO<sub>2</sub>. The photodegradation pathway of BPA was elucidated by identifying and quantifying the oxidation intermediates generated by His-CDP-TiO<sub>2</sub>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01831"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-24DOI: 10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01833
Yuan-Fong Chau Chou , Sy-Hann Chen , Abdul Hanif Mahadi , Roshan Thotagamuge , Chee Ming Lim , Muhammad Raziq Rahimi Kooh
Plasmonic-heterojunction photocatalysts represent a rapidly advancing frontier in photocatalysis, merging the strong light–matter interactions of plasmonic nanostructures with the superior charge-separation efficiency of semiconductor heterojunctions. This synergistic integration facilitates hot-carrier generation, near-field amplification, and localized photothermal heating, while the heterojunction interface guides directional carrier transport and preserves redox potentials. Consequently, these systems achieve broadband solar harvesting, extended charge-carrier lifetimes, and enhanced selectivity in catalytic reactions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of plasmon-enhanced photocatalysis, commencing with the fundamental mechanisms of plasmon–exciton coupling, hot carrier injection, near-field interactions, and photothermal effects. We subsequently explore diverse materials platforms, including noble metals, earth-abundant alternatives, doped oxides, refractory nitrides, 2D materials, and hybrid frameworks such as MOFs and perovskites. Architectures such as Schottky, type-II, Z- and S-schemes, core–shells, cascades, and hierarchical systems are examined to elucidate how design dictates charge dynamics. Applications are reviewed for sustainable energy conversion (hydrogen evolution, CO₂ reduction, solar fuels), environmental remediation (pollutant degradation, wastewater treatment) and sensing (photoelectrochemical sensors, SERS, wearable platforms). Finally, we propose design principles and identify emerging frontiers, including scalable fabrication, AI-guided materials discovery, and quantum plasmonics. By bridging nanophotonics, catalysis, and device engineering, plasmonic heterojunctions emerge as multifunctional systems poised to drive the next generation of sustainable technologies.
{"title":"Plasmonic–heterojunction nanostructures: Mechanistic design for photocatalysis, energy conversion, and advanced biosensing","authors":"Yuan-Fong Chau Chou , Sy-Hann Chen , Abdul Hanif Mahadi , Roshan Thotagamuge , Chee Ming Lim , Muhammad Raziq Rahimi Kooh","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01833","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01833","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plasmonic-heterojunction photocatalysts represent a rapidly advancing frontier in photocatalysis, merging the strong light–matter interactions of plasmonic nanostructures with the superior charge-separation efficiency of semiconductor heterojunctions. This synergistic integration facilitates hot-carrier generation, near-field amplification, and localized photothermal heating, while the heterojunction interface guides directional carrier transport and preserves redox potentials. Consequently, these systems achieve broadband solar harvesting, extended charge-carrier lifetimes, and enhanced selectivity in catalytic reactions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of plasmon-enhanced photocatalysis, commencing with the fundamental mechanisms of plasmon–exciton coupling, hot carrier injection, near-field interactions, and photothermal effects. We subsequently explore diverse materials platforms, including noble metals, earth-abundant alternatives, doped oxides, refractory nitrides, 2D materials, and hybrid frameworks such as MOFs and perovskites. Architectures such as Schottky, type-II, <em>Z</em>- and S-schemes, core–shells, cascades, and hierarchical systems are examined to elucidate how design dictates charge dynamics. Applications are reviewed for sustainable energy conversion (hydrogen evolution, CO₂ reduction, solar fuels), environmental remediation (pollutant degradation, wastewater treatment) and sensing (photoelectrochemical sensors, SERS, wearable platforms). Finally, we propose design principles and identify emerging frontiers, including scalable fabrication, AI-guided materials discovery, and quantum plasmonics. By bridging nanophotonics, catalysis, and device engineering, plasmonic heterojunctions emerge as multifunctional systems poised to drive the next generation of sustainable technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01833"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839852","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01827
K. Deepthi Jayan , Kalim Deshmukh
With formerly unattainable control over material properties at the nanoscale, nanotechnology has emerged as a paradigm shift in materials research. Given the increasing demand for fire-resistant materials in industries, the use of nanomaterials in flame-retardant composites has garnered significant attention among their many other uses. The nanostructured boron nitride (BN) is a potential candidate in this area since it possesses outstanding structural and chemical properties and its two-dimensional (2D) structure endows them with thermal stability, high surface area, and natural flame resistance making them extremely valuable for fire safety improvement in many materials. In recent years, progress in the synthesis, functionalization, and use of nanostructured BN in flame retardant composites cast new light on the fundamental processes that underlie their flame-retardant properties but also triggered the creation of new, high-performance flame-retardant materials. This review provides an integral overview of the most recent advancements in nanostructured BN-based flame-retardant composites, systematically exploring the synthesis routes, properties, characterization methods, and flame retardancy mechanisms. The review explores the underlying principles of the flame-resistant BN-based composites, emphasizing their versatile applications in different industries highlighting their vast potential as next-generation flame retardants. The future trends and challenges associated with the extensive utilization of the nanostructured BN in flame retardant applications are briefed. With a detailed description of the state-of-the-art in nanostructured BN with flame-retardant composites, the current review intends to promote research activities in this emerging area leading to the progress of next-generation sustainable flame-retardant materials with excellent performance.
{"title":"Recent advances in nanostructured boron nitride based flame retardant composites: A comprehensive review","authors":"K. Deepthi Jayan , Kalim Deshmukh","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01827","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01827","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With formerly unattainable control over material properties at the nanoscale, nanotechnology has emerged as a paradigm shift in materials research. Given the increasing demand for fire-resistant materials in industries, the use of nanomaterials in flame-retardant composites has garnered significant attention among their many other uses. The nanostructured boron nitride (BN) is a potential candidate in this area since it possesses outstanding structural and chemical properties and its two-dimensional (2D) structure endows them with thermal stability, high surface area, and natural flame resistance making them extremely valuable for fire safety improvement in many materials. In recent years, progress in the synthesis, functionalization, and use of nanostructured BN in flame retardant composites cast new light on the fundamental processes that underlie their flame-retardant properties but also triggered the creation of new, high-performance flame-retardant materials. This review provides an integral overview of the most recent advancements in nanostructured BN-based flame-retardant composites, systematically exploring the synthesis routes, properties, characterization methods, and flame retardancy mechanisms. The review explores the underlying principles of the flame-resistant BN-based composites, emphasizing their versatile applications in different industries highlighting their vast potential as next-generation flame retardants. The future trends and challenges associated with the extensive utilization of the nanostructured BN in flame retardant applications are briefed. With a detailed description of the state-of-the-art in nanostructured BN with flame-retardant composites, the current review intends to promote research activities in this emerging area leading to the progress of next-generation sustainable flame-retardant materials with excellent performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01827"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840396","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01832
Wei Yuan, Hong Sun, Jie Li, Mingfu Yu, Jiaxin Pang, Liqiang Cui
The employment of green polymer membranes has emerged as a pivotal component in the advancement of the sustainability and performance of lithium-air batteries (LABs). This development offers an eco-friendly option in comparison to conventional lithium-ion batteries by LABs. The present paper sets out an innovative approach to developing green polymer membranes, namely oxygen selective membranes (O2SM), with an asymmetric structure comprising a surface macroporous layer (9.85 μm) and a dense bottom layer (1.5 μm). Prepared via a dry-wet phase transformation method, the O₂SM exhibits a superhydrophobic barrier (static contact angle of 100.19°), excellent water vapour barrier capability (flux of 330.7 g/cm2·24 h at 70 % RH) and ionic conductivity of 4.18 × 10−2 S/m. Under RH = 30 % conditions, the O₂/H₂O selectivity coefficient α of the O₂SM is 1.13. Even under RH = 70 % conditions, α is 0.88. When applied to lithium-air batteries, the batteries with the help of the O₂SM increased cycle life by 368 % (from 25 to 117 cycles), boosted specific capacity by 41.1 % (from 3590 to 5065 mAh/g) and reduced overpotential by 7.7 % (from 1.30 to 1.20 V). By addressing these challenges, green polymer membrane hold the potential to transform energy storage technologies, thereby supporting global energy transitions and facilitating a future that is more sustainable and energy-efficient.
{"title":"A sustainable solution for lithium-air batteries: Green polymer membrane with gradient pores for selective O₂ transport in humid air","authors":"Wei Yuan, Hong Sun, Jie Li, Mingfu Yu, Jiaxin Pang, Liqiang Cui","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01832","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01832","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The employment of green polymer membranes has emerged as a pivotal component in the advancement of the sustainability and performance of lithium-air batteries (LABs). This development offers an eco-friendly option in comparison to conventional lithium-ion batteries by LABs. The present paper sets out an innovative approach to developing green polymer membranes, namely oxygen selective membranes (O<sub>2</sub>SM), with an asymmetric structure comprising a surface macroporous layer (9.85 μm) and a dense bottom layer (1.5 μm). Prepared via a dry-wet phase transformation method, the O₂SM exhibits a superhydrophobic barrier (static contact angle of 100.19°), excellent water vapour barrier capability (flux of 330.7 g/cm<sup>2</sup>·24 h at 70 % RH) and ionic conductivity of 4.18 × 10<sup>−2</sup> S/m. Under RH = 30 % conditions, the O₂/H₂O selectivity coefficient α of the O₂SM is 1.13. Even under RH = 70 % conditions, α is 0.88. When applied to lithium-air batteries, the batteries with the help of the O₂SM increased cycle life by 368 % (from 25 to 117 cycles), boosted specific capacity by 41.1 % (from 3590 to 5065 mAh/g) and reduced overpotential by 7.7 % (from 1.30 to 1.20 V). By addressing these challenges, green polymer membrane hold the potential to transform energy storage technologies, thereby supporting global energy transitions and facilitating a future that is more sustainable and energy-efficient.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01832"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839850","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01828
Zihan Wan , Sicheng Chen , Haibin Gao , Zhilin Yu , Li Xiang , Lei Yang , Wenling Zhang
In recent years, soft robotics have emerged as a prominent area of research, offering novel solutions to real-world challenges. However, enabling soft robots to achieve spontaneous terrain adaptation while maintaining stable motion remains a serious challenge. To address this problem, we propose a highly integrated soft robot that can recognize terrain features and autonomously adjust gait parameters through closed-loop sensing and control. The robot's mechanical design combines Kresling origami construction with flexible materials and a foot design with an asymmetrical structure for smooth transitions in the 0–0.103 BL/s speed range. The body-embedded flexible resistive sensor senses the body's motion state in real time and feeds the data as input to the machine learning model, achieving an accuracy of 98.69 % in terrain classification (flat, grass, and rock). The machine learning model results are used to adjust the motion frequency of the motion module to achieve adaptive motion. The fusion of advanced machinery and closed-loop control provides a robust framework for soft robots operating in complex, dynamic environments.
{"title":"A terrain-adaptive soft robot with closed-loop sensing and control","authors":"Zihan Wan , Sicheng Chen , Haibin Gao , Zhilin Yu , Li Xiang , Lei Yang , Wenling Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01828","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01828","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In recent years, soft robotics have emerged as a prominent area of research, offering novel solutions to real-world challenges. However, enabling soft robots to achieve spontaneous terrain adaptation while maintaining stable motion remains a serious challenge. To address this problem, we propose a highly integrated soft robot that can recognize terrain features and autonomously adjust gait parameters through closed-loop sensing and control. The robot's mechanical design combines Kresling origami construction with flexible materials and a foot design with an asymmetrical structure for smooth transitions in the 0–0.103 BL/s speed range. The body-embedded flexible resistive sensor senses the body's motion state in real time and feeds the data as input to the machine learning model, achieving an accuracy of 98.69 % in terrain classification (flat, grass, and rock). The machine learning model results are used to adjust the motion frequency of the motion module to achieve adaptive motion. The fusion of advanced machinery and closed-loop control provides a robust framework for soft robots operating in complex, dynamic environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01828"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01829
Shuang Yin, Sheng Fu, Yibo Wang, Rongda Zhao, Liang Liu
High-entropy layered double hydroxides (HE-LDHs) are widely used as oxygen evolution catalysts due to their elemental diversity, lattice distortion and excellent stability. The cocktail effect and exquisite synthesis technology have made the customization of materials possible in recent years. This review centers on the effective synthesis strategies of HE-LDHs and their recent application progress in the alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Furthermore, it also explores performance enhancement strategies for HE-LDHs, including surface modification by doping, exfoliation of layered structures, defect engineering, and heterojunction construction. Finally, it proposes future perspectives for HE-LDHs, which provides valuable insights and references for researchers to obtain the next-generation OER materials.
{"title":"Advanced high entropy LDHs electrocatalysts: Synthesis and performance enhancement strategies for alkaline oxygen evolution reaction","authors":"Shuang Yin, Sheng Fu, Yibo Wang, Rongda Zhao, Liang Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01829","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01829","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High-entropy layered double hydroxides (HE-LDHs) are widely used as oxygen evolution catalysts due to their elemental diversity, lattice distortion and excellent stability. The cocktail effect and exquisite synthesis technology have made the customization of materials possible in recent years. This review centers on the effective synthesis strategies of HE-LDHs and their recent application progress in the alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Furthermore, it also explores performance enhancement strategies for HE-LDHs, including surface modification by doping, exfoliation of layered structures, defect engineering, and heterojunction construction. Finally, it proposes future perspectives for HE-LDHs, which provides valuable insights and references for researchers to obtain the next-generation OER materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01829"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884053","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-21DOI: 10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01825
Tayyaba Kanwal , Vittorio Loddo , Claudio Maria Pecoraro , Giovanni Palmisano , Sarah Hamdan , Zhe Wang , Israa Othman , Leonardo Palmisano , Marianna Bellardita
Recent research on the valorization of biomass has received a lot of interest as it allows the obtaining of products with high added value. In this regard, this study explores aerobic and anaerobic heterogeneous photocatalytic partial oxidation under both UV and simulated solar irradiation of glycerol and glucose in aqueous medium using bismuth oxyhalide-based photocatalysts BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I). Moreover, noble metal-free BiOX-TiO2 (P25) composites were prepared through a simple ball milling procedure. Both the formation of partial oxidation compounds, namely 1,3-dihydroxyacetone, glyceraldehyde and glycolic acid from glycerol and arabinose and formic acid from glucose in solution, and the production of CO2 and H2 in the gas phase, were followed. Pure BiOBr and BiOCl proved to be more effective than bare TiO2 P25 (one of the most used and studied photocatalysts) affording a higher selectivity towards high added value products whilst the composites samples displayed high glycerol conversion values that reached 62 %. Particularly noteworthy was the effectiveness of BiOCl-P25 and BiOBr-P25 samples containing 5 and 7 wt% of BiOCl or BiOBr with respect to P25, in promoting also H2 formation under simulated sunlight irradiation and without the presence of noble metal species such as Pt. To the best of our knowledge, BiOX-TiO2 photocatalysts have never been used for the photoreforming of glycerol and glucose.
{"title":"Solar driven photocatalytic glycerol and glucose reforming via noble metals free BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I)-TiO2 composites","authors":"Tayyaba Kanwal , Vittorio Loddo , Claudio Maria Pecoraro , Giovanni Palmisano , Sarah Hamdan , Zhe Wang , Israa Othman , Leonardo Palmisano , Marianna Bellardita","doi":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01825","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01825","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recent research on the valorization of biomass has received a lot of interest as it allows the obtaining of products with high added value. In this regard, this study explores aerobic and anaerobic heterogeneous photocatalytic partial oxidation under both UV and simulated solar irradiation of glycerol and glucose in aqueous medium using bismuth oxyhalide-based photocatalysts BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I). Moreover, noble metal-free BiOX-TiO<sub>2</sub> (P25) composites were prepared through a simple ball milling procedure. Both the formation of partial oxidation compounds, namely 1,3-dihydroxyacetone, glyceraldehyde and glycolic acid from glycerol and arabinose and formic acid from glucose in solution, and the production of CO<sub>2</sub> and H<sub>2</sub> in the gas phase, were followed. Pure BiOBr and BiOCl proved to be more effective than bare TiO<sub>2</sub> P25 (one of the most used and studied photocatalysts) affording a higher selectivity <!--> <!-->towards high added value products whilst the composites samples displayed high glycerol conversion values that reached 62 %. Particularly noteworthy was the effectiveness of BiOCl-P25 and BiOBr-P25 samples containing 5 and 7 wt% of BiOCl or BiOBr with respect to P25, in promoting also H<sub>2</sub> formation under simulated sunlight irradiation and without the presence of noble metal species such as Pt. To the best of our knowledge, BiOX-TiO<sub>2</sub> photocatalysts have never been used for the photoreforming of glycerol and glucose.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22097,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Materials and Technologies","volume":"47 ","pages":"Article e01825"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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