Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mattod.2025.12.033
Long Zhao , Jialin Sun , Mingdong Yi , Xiao Li , Jun Zhao
High-entropy ceramics have been intensively studied over the past decade, exhibiting superior mechanical-thermal properties compared to traditional ceramics, making them attractive for high-speed dry-machining applications. Here, we determined the feasibility of high-entropy ceramics as a dry-machining tool through thoroughly investigating the mechanical response, oxidation behavior, and cutting performance of (HfNbTaTiZr)N high-entropy nitride. The HEN performed a combination of exceptionally high hardness (29.38 GPa) and toughness (6.71 MPa∙m1/2), to a certain extent, circumvented the long-lasting hardness-toughness paradox of traditional ceramic cutting tools, identifying the potential role of HEN as a machining tool. Furthermore, the rather slow oxidation rate, coupled with the phase structure stability of the oxide layer, indicated the enhanced oxidation resistance of HEN than traditional ceramic cutting tools, further endowing the HEN with promising dry-machining applications. Finally, the significantly high dry-machining tool life of HEN confirmed the feasibility of HEN as a cutting tool, developing a cooperative adaptive mechanism for the coupled and interacted thermal–mechanical-chemical multi-fields during the high-speed dry-machining process. We expect that this investigation offers a general and practical way for high-entropy ceramics as high-speed dry-machining tools.
{"title":"Feasibility of high-entropy ceramics as next-generation dry-machining tools","authors":"Long Zhao , Jialin Sun , Mingdong Yi , Xiao Li , Jun Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.12.033","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.12.033","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High-entropy ceramics have been intensively studied over the past decade, exhibiting superior mechanical-thermal properties compared to traditional ceramics, making them attractive for high-speed dry-machining applications. Here, we determined the feasibility of high-entropy ceramics as a dry-machining tool through thoroughly investigating the mechanical response, oxidation behavior, and cutting performance of (HfNbTaTiZr)N high-entropy nitride. The HEN performed a combination of exceptionally high hardness (29.38 GPa) and toughness (6.71 MPa∙m<sup>1/2</sup>), to a certain extent, circumvented the long-lasting hardness-toughness paradox of traditional ceramic cutting tools, identifying the potential role of HEN as a machining tool. Furthermore, the rather slow oxidation rate, coupled with the phase structure stability of the oxide layer, indicated the enhanced oxidation resistance of HEN than traditional ceramic cutting tools, further endowing the HEN with promising dry-machining applications. Finally, the significantly high dry-machining tool life of HEN confirmed the feasibility of HEN as a cutting tool, developing a cooperative adaptive mechanism for the coupled and interacted thermal–mechanical-chemical multi-fields during the high-speed dry-machining process. We expect that this investigation offers a general and practical way for high-entropy ceramics as high-speed dry-machining tools.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"92 ","pages":"Pages 436-452"},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146015617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mattod.2025.12.028
Anwar Ali , Adnan Ali Khan , Iqtidar Ahmad , Ismail Shahid
The synergistic effects of rapid industrialization and excessive fossil fuel utilization have compromised the biosphere, resulting in energy deficits and adversely affecting environmental health through substantial carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Photocatalytic CO2 reduction represents a pivotal strategy for addressing the dual challenges of climate change and energy scarcity. Perovskite oxides represent a prospective class of materials for mitigating global environmental sustainability challenges, owing to their tunable physicochemical properties, enhanced stability, and adaptable compositional characteristics. While several reviews have explored photocatalytic CO2 reduction via perovskite oxides, a detailed examination of strategies specifically aimed at improving their photocatalytic performance is still lacking. We herein review the structural preferences and targeted engineering of perovskite oxides to enhance their photocatalytic efficacy in converting CO2 into energy-rich molecular species. This review commences with an introduction to the underlying theory of photocatalysis and the CO2 reduction mechanism over perovskite oxides. Next, we provide an in-depth examination of the latest developments in optimizing photocatalytic activity of perovskite oxides, emphasizing innovative strategies such as spin polarized band splitting, interfacial engineering via heterojunctions, tuning of electronic structure through doping, defect engineering, built-in electric field manipulation, photothermal effects, metal exsolution, and hybrid molecular catalyst-perovskite systems. Lastly, this review highlights the promising prospects and future directions for perovskite oxide-based photocatalysts in CO2 reduction applications, providing a valuable roadmap for the development of enhanced and rational photocatalytic materials.
{"title":"Strategic advances in perovskite oxide photocatalysts for efficient CO2 reduction: Challenges and future outlook","authors":"Anwar Ali , Adnan Ali Khan , Iqtidar Ahmad , Ismail Shahid","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.12.028","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.12.028","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The synergistic effects of rapid industrialization and excessive fossil fuel utilization have compromised the biosphere, resulting in energy deficits and adversely affecting environmental health through substantial carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) emissions. Photocatalytic CO<sub>2</sub> reduction represents a pivotal strategy for addressing the dual challenges of climate change and energy scarcity. Perovskite oxides represent a prospective class of materials for mitigating global environmental sustainability challenges, owing to their tunable physicochemical properties, enhanced stability, and adaptable compositional characteristics. While several reviews have explored photocatalytic CO<sub>2</sub> reduction via perovskite oxides, a detailed examination of strategies specifically aimed at improving their photocatalytic performance is still lacking. We herein review the structural preferences and targeted engineering of perovskite oxides to enhance their photocatalytic efficacy in converting CO<sub>2</sub> into energy-rich molecular species. This review commences with an introduction to the underlying theory of photocatalysis and the CO<sub>2</sub> reduction mechanism over perovskite oxides. Next, we provide an in-depth examination of the latest developments in optimizing photocatalytic activity of perovskite oxides, emphasizing innovative strategies such as spin polarized band splitting, interfacial engineering via heterojunctions, tuning of electronic structure through doping, defect engineering, built-in electric field manipulation, photothermal effects, metal exsolution, and hybrid molecular catalyst-perovskite systems. Lastly, this review highlights the promising prospects and future directions for perovskite oxide-based photocatalysts in CO<sub>2</sub> reduction applications, providing a valuable roadmap for the development of enhanced and rational photocatalytic materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"92 ","pages":"Pages 857-905"},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146015649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Expression of concern: Experimental and computational advancement of cathode materials for futuristic Sodium Ion Batteries","authors":"","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"92 ","pages":"Page 1008"},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146015700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mattod.2025.12.022
Yujie Sun , Rongjie Zhang , Qiang Wei , Jiarong Liu , Yunhao Zhang , Jiayi Fan , Bilu Liu , Hui-Ming Cheng
Two-dimensional (2D) materials show high potential in neuromorphic vision applications due to reconfigurable photovoltaic effect. The high reconfigurability of photovoltaic devices requires controllable ion accumulation and semiconducting properties, which needs further exploration. Herein, we fabricate a two-terminal device using CuInP2Se6 (CIPSe), an ionic 2D semiconductor, generating multi-state reconfigurable photovoltaics. The reversible intrinsic Cu ion aggregation under electric field, resulting in PN/NP configurations. Combined with the controllable intrinsic Cu ion aggregation and semiconducting property, the CIPSe device achieves ± tunable photovoltaic states up to 17, superior to other works. Furthermore, the CIPSe device array exhibits good photovoltaic response uniformity and achieves multifunctional building edge extractions by intrinsic ion operation. This work demonstrates the great potential of ionic 2D semiconductive CIPSe as the high-performance two-terminal reconfigurable photovoltaic device for neuromorphic computing.
{"title":"Reconfigurable ± photovoltaics based on ionic 2D semiconductive CuInP2Se6 for multi-functional image processing","authors":"Yujie Sun , Rongjie Zhang , Qiang Wei , Jiarong Liu , Yunhao Zhang , Jiayi Fan , Bilu Liu , Hui-Ming Cheng","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.12.022","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.12.022","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Two-dimensional (2D) materials show high potential in neuromorphic vision applications due to reconfigurable photovoltaic effect. The high reconfigurability of photovoltaic devices requires controllable ion accumulation and semiconducting properties, which needs further exploration. Herein, we fabricate a two-terminal device using CuInP<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>6</sub> (CIPSe), an ionic 2D semiconductor, generating multi-state reconfigurable photovoltaics. The reversible intrinsic Cu ion aggregation under electric field, resulting in PN/NP configurations. Combined with the controllable intrinsic Cu ion aggregation and semiconducting property, the CIPSe device achieves ± tunable photovoltaic states up to 17, superior to other works. Furthermore, the CIPSe device array exhibits good photovoltaic response uniformity and achieves multifunctional building edge extractions by intrinsic ion operation. This work demonstrates the great potential of ionic 2D semiconductive CIPSe as the high-performance two-terminal reconfigurable photovoltaic device for neuromorphic computing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"92 ","pages":"Pages 1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146015746","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mattod.2025.11.032
Songtao Dong , Lauren Healy , Fanglin Gong , Yue Xu , Yunshu Cai , Nicholas C. Solek , Jingan Chen , Muye Zhou , Tyler Thomson , Margarita Savguira , Sijin Luozhong , Yanchao Zhang , Tingzhen He , Gen Li , Bowen Li
Messenger RNA (mRNA)-based nonviral delivery of gene editors offers transformative potential for therapeutic genome editing in neurological diseases, but efficient and safe delivery to the brain remains a formidable challenge due to the restrictive blood–brain barrier. Intrathecal administration provides a clinically validated route to bypass this barrier, yet the design principles for biodegradable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) optimized for central nervous system (CNS) delivery remain poorly defined. Here, we synthesized a 200-member combinatorial library of structurally diverse, biodegradable ionizable lipids using the Passerini three-component reaction. High-throughput in vivo screening identified P3B, a lead lipid incorporating degradable linkages and optimized ionizable head groups, which enables potent and well-tolerated intrathecal mRNA delivery. In Ai9 reporter mice, P3B-LNPs encapsulating Cas9 mRNA/sgRNA induced robust and widespread tdTomato expression in neurons and astrocytes across multiple brain regions, achieving substantially higher editing efficiency than the clinical benchmark DLin-MC3-DMA (MC3). In LumA reporter mice, P3B-LNPs mediated efficient adenine base editing, restoring luciferase expression throughout the brain with 14.8% on-target correction and minimal off-target activity. Compared with MC3, P3B-LNPs exhibited enhanced tolerability, with attenuated inflammatory responses and a safety profile supportive of repeated dosing. These findings establish P3B-LNPs as a potent, safe, and biodegradable platform for genome editing in the brain and underscore the power of combinatorial lipid chemistry and high-throughput in vivo screening to accelerate the development of next-generation LNPs for CNS-targeted mRNA therapeutics.
{"title":"Biodegradable lipid nanoparticles for genome editing in the brain via intrathecal administration","authors":"Songtao Dong , Lauren Healy , Fanglin Gong , Yue Xu , Yunshu Cai , Nicholas C. Solek , Jingan Chen , Muye Zhou , Tyler Thomson , Margarita Savguira , Sijin Luozhong , Yanchao Zhang , Tingzhen He , Gen Li , Bowen Li","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.11.032","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.11.032","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Messenger RNA (mRNA)-based nonviral delivery of gene editors offers transformative potential for therapeutic genome editing in neurological diseases, but efficient and safe delivery to the brain remains a formidable challenge due to the restrictive blood–brain barrier. Intrathecal administration provides a clinically validated route to bypass this barrier, yet the design principles for biodegradable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) optimized for central nervous system (CNS) delivery remain poorly defined. Here, we synthesized a 200-member combinatorial library of structurally diverse, biodegradable ionizable lipids using the Passerini three-component reaction. High-throughput <em>in vivo</em> screening identified P3B, a lead lipid incorporating degradable linkages and optimized ionizable head groups, which enables potent and well-tolerated intrathecal mRNA delivery. In Ai9 reporter mice, P3B-LNPs encapsulating Cas9 mRNA/sgRNA induced robust and widespread tdTomato expression in neurons and astrocytes across multiple brain regions, achieving substantially higher editing efficiency than the clinical benchmark DLin-MC3-DMA (MC3). In LumA reporter mice, P3B-LNPs mediated efficient adenine base editing, restoring luciferase expression throughout the brain with 14.8% on-target correction and minimal off-target activity. Compared with MC3, P3B-LNPs exhibited enhanced tolerability, with attenuated inflammatory responses and a safety profile supportive of repeated dosing. These findings establish P3B-LNPs as a potent, safe, and biodegradable platform for genome editing in the brain and underscore the power of combinatorial lipid chemistry and high-throughput <em>in vivo</em> screening to accelerate the development of next-generation LNPs for CNS-targeted mRNA therapeutics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"92 ","pages":"Pages 140-150"},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146015883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mattod.2025.11.021
Hui Liu , Bob Wisdom Jallawide , Lin Wu , Zhilong Liu , Jing Yuan , Zixi Zhang , Varney Edwin Johnson , Kaisong Xiang , Liyuan Chai , Jun Wu , Fenghua Shen
Mercury emissions from industrial flue gas (e.g., non-ferrous smelting and coal-fired flue gas) cause serious environmental and health hazards. Adsorption techniques have emerged as promising methods for removing gaseous elemental mercury (Hg0) from industrial flue gas streams in recent years. This cutting-edge review investigates factors impacting mercury emissions and the most recent advances in adsorption strategies for gaseous mercury removal from flue gas. Herein, we comprehensively summarize the current status and research progress of mercury uptake adsorbent materials, beginning with the sources and speciation of Hg in flue gas, as well as mercury adsorption mechanisms. Then, various adsorbent materials design and optimization strategies for flue gases with different characteristics are also discussed. For example, in terms of non-ferrous smelting flue gas with high SO2 concentration, transition metal chalcogenides show higher sulfur resistance than other adsorbent materials and hence exhibit better mercury removal performance. We establish a robust relationship between the performance-stability and structural mechanisms of adsorbent materials for mercury adsorption, aiming to provide reference and guidance to emphasize concerns about laboratory-scale to industrial-scale applications. Finally, potential research directions to explore efficient Hg removal from industrial flue gas and further economic recycling of the resulting mercury-containing waste were also proposed in this review.
{"title":"Recent progress on the advancements of adsorbent materials in elemental mercury removal from industrial flue gases","authors":"Hui Liu , Bob Wisdom Jallawide , Lin Wu , Zhilong Liu , Jing Yuan , Zixi Zhang , Varney Edwin Johnson , Kaisong Xiang , Liyuan Chai , Jun Wu , Fenghua Shen","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.11.021","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.11.021","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mercury emissions from industrial flue gas (e.g., non-ferrous smelting and coal-fired flue gas) cause serious environmental and health hazards. Adsorption techniques have emerged as promising methods for removing gaseous elemental mercury (Hg<sup>0</sup>) from industrial flue gas streams in recent years. This cutting-edge review investigates factors impacting mercury emissions and the most recent advances in adsorption strategies for gaseous mercury removal from flue gas. Herein, we comprehensively summarize the current status and research progress of mercury uptake adsorbent materials, beginning with the sources and speciation of Hg in flue gas, as well as mercury adsorption mechanisms. Then, various adsorbent materials design and optimization strategies for flue gases with different characteristics are also discussed. For example, in terms of non-ferrous smelting flue gas with high SO<sub>2</sub> concentration, transition metal chalcogenides show higher sulfur resistance than other adsorbent materials and hence exhibit better mercury removal performance. We establish a robust relationship between the performance-stability and structural mechanisms of adsorbent materials for mercury adsorption, aiming to provide reference and guidance to emphasize concerns about laboratory-scale to industrial-scale applications. Finally, potential research directions to explore efficient Hg removal from industrial flue gas and further economic recycling of the resulting mercury-containing waste were also proposed in this review.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"92 ","pages":"Pages 499-518"},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146015623","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mattod.2025.11.037
Hailong Yin , Jianlei Cui , Tong Ma , Xuesong Mei , Yang Ju
Low-dimensional nanomaterials (LDNs) exhibit unique electrical properties at the nanoscale, making accurate electrical measurement crucial for advancements in materials science, condensed matter physics, electronic devices, chemistry, and biology. However, traditional electrical measurement techniques are limited by the measurement accuracy, which is difficult to adapt to the measurement needs of LDNs. In recent years, the widespread application of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) has promoted the development of highly sensitive, nanometer-precise electrical measurement tools, which have become essential for characterizing these materials. To this end, this review focuses on the electrical property measurement of LDNs. It begins by reviewing common electrical parameters of LDNs, followed by an in-depth introduction to seven typical SPM-based electrical measurement modes, including their basic principles, system components, and future trends. Then, the electrical measurement principles and specific applications of these methods in zero-dimensional (nanoparticles and quantum dots), one-dimensional (nanowires and nanoribbons), and two-dimensional (layers and thin films) nanomaterials are reviewed. Finally, an outlook on the development of SPM electrical measurement modes and their application to LDNs is presented.
{"title":"Scanning probe microscopy electrical measurement technique and its application in low-dimensional materials: A review","authors":"Hailong Yin , Jianlei Cui , Tong Ma , Xuesong Mei , Yang Ju","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.11.037","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.11.037","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Low-dimensional nanomaterials (LDNs) exhibit unique electrical properties at the nanoscale, making accurate electrical measurement crucial for advancements in materials science, condensed matter physics, electronic devices, chemistry, and biology. However, traditional electrical measurement techniques are limited by the measurement accuracy, which is difficult to adapt to the measurement needs of LDNs. In recent years, the widespread application of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) has promoted the development of highly sensitive, nanometer-precise electrical measurement tools, which have become essential for characterizing these materials. To this end, this review focuses on the electrical property measurement of LDNs. It begins by reviewing common electrical parameters of LDNs, followed by an in-depth introduction to seven typical SPM-based electrical measurement modes, including their basic principles, system components, and future trends. Then, the electrical measurement principles and specific applications of these methods in zero-dimensional (nanoparticles and quantum dots), one-dimensional (nanowires and nanoribbons), and two-dimensional (layers and thin films) nanomaterials are reviewed. Finally, an outlook on the development of SPM electrical measurement modes and their application to LDNs is presented.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"92 ","pages":"Pages 670-710"},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146015627","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mattod.2025.11.022
Seongbo Lee , Jayaraman Theerthagiri , Shih-Huang Pan , Jyh-Chiang Jiang , Myong Yong Choi
High-entropy perovskite oxides (HEPOs), incorporating five or more principal cations at the A- and/or B-sites of the ABO3 structure, synergistically combine the configurational entropy and compositional tunability of high-entropy oxides with the structural versatility of perovskites, enabling enhanced atomic-level control over cation distribution, defect chemistry, and multifunctional properties. However, the controlled synthesis of structurally stable HEPOs remains challenging. Herein, we report for the first time a rapid and innovative approach using continuous-wave CO2 laser irradiation to stabilize high-entropy La(FeCoMnNi)O3 perovskites via B-site cation engineering with LaFeO3. The CO2 laser, emitting 10.6-μm infrared radiation, is strongly absorbed by a metal–citrate 3D polymeric gel precursor, enabling localized heating and complete HEPO phase formation within 10 min while minimizing thermal diffusion and energy consumption. La(FeCoMnNi)O3 demonstrates outstanding electrochemical nitrate reduction (eNO3RR) performance for high-value ammonia (NH3) production, attaining an NH3 yield rate of 20.29 mg h−1 cm−2 at −0.7 V vs. RHE, with excellent cycling stability. Experimental and theoretical analyses reveal that B-site engineering induces B–O–B bond angle distortion, octahedral tilting, and d-band modulation within the perovskite lattice, enhancing electrical conductivity and NO3− activation. Practical NH3 production via eNO3RR was validated via Ar stripping‒acid trapping methods, and La(FeCoMnNi)O3 was further employed as a cathode in a Zn–NO3− battery, demonstrating its multifunctionality. This study establishes CO2 laser processing as a promising strategy for the rational design of high-entropy perovskite catalysts through precise cation tuning, which is expected to advance environmental and energy applications.
{"title":"Infrared-driven high-entropy perovskites for efficient nitrate-to-ammonia conversion via B-site engineering","authors":"Seongbo Lee , Jayaraman Theerthagiri , Shih-Huang Pan , Jyh-Chiang Jiang , Myong Yong Choi","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.11.022","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.11.022","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High-entropy perovskite oxides (HEPOs), incorporating five or more principal cations at the A- and/or B-sites of the ABO<sub>3</sub> structure, synergistically combine the configurational entropy and compositional tunability of high-entropy oxides with the structural versatility of perovskites, enabling enhanced atomic-level control over cation distribution, defect chemistry, and multifunctional properties. However, the controlled synthesis of structurally stable HEPOs remains challenging. Herein, we report for the first time a rapid and innovative approach using continuous-wave CO<sub>2</sub> laser irradiation to stabilize high-entropy La(FeCoMnNi)O<sub>3</sub> perovskites via B-site cation engineering with LaFeO<sub>3</sub>. The CO<sub>2</sub> laser, emitting 10.6-μm infrared radiation, is strongly absorbed by a metal–citrate 3D polymeric gel precursor, enabling localized heating and complete HEPO phase formation within 10 min while minimizing thermal diffusion and energy consumption. La(FeCoMnNi)O<sub>3</sub> demonstrates outstanding electrochemical nitrate reduction (eNO<sub>3</sub>RR) performance for high-value ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) production, attaining an NH<sub>3</sub> yield rate of 20.29 mg h<sup>−1</sup> cm<sup>−2</sup> at −0.7 V vs. RHE, with excellent cycling stability. Experimental and theoretical analyses reveal that B-site engineering induces B–O–B bond angle distortion, octahedral tilting, and <em>d</em>-band modulation within the perovskite lattice, enhancing electrical conductivity and NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> activation. Practical NH<sub>3</sub> production via eNO<sub>3</sub>RR was validated via Ar stripping‒acid trapping methods, and La(FeCoMnNi)O<sub>3</sub> was further employed as a cathode in a Zn–NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> battery, demonstrating its multifunctionality. This study establishes CO<sub>2</sub> laser processing as a promising strategy for the rational design of high-entropy perovskite catalysts through precise cation tuning, which is expected to advance environmental and energy applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"92 ","pages":"Pages 44-60"},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146015750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mattod.2025.12.021
Zhiyu Ren , Sihan Li , Aoming Cao , Sijia Niu , Xiaoming Liu , Wangzhong Mu , Qiang Wang
Multi-spectral stealth materials have become a strategic priority in national defense. Infrared-visible stealth, a critical component of this technology, demands materials with opposing spectral properties in adjacent bands—high visible absorption coupled with low infrared emission. However, the inherent inverse correlation between infrared emissivity and visible reflectivity complicates the independent optimization of these properties through material composition and structural design. This study proposes a novel optical valve plasmonic stealth (OV-PS) metamaterial to achieve infrared/visible stealth. Compared to open-pore structures, the integration of optical valves on the pore structure functions as wavelength-selective switches, modulating light absorption based on specific spectral bands. By adjusting the spacing and dimensions of the optical valve units, the OV-PS metamaterial can achieve independent regulation of infrared emissivity while maintaining low visible reflectance. The OV-PS metamaterial demonstrates a visible reflectivity of 9.95% and an emissivity of 0.08, effectively addressing the performance limitations of traditional infrared–visible stealth materials. Furthermore, optical valves fabricated through deposition technology enable the co-design of functional and structural units, thereby facilitating multi-functional integration and multi-spectral regulation. This breakthrough holds significant potential for applications in defense, energy, and photonic systems.
{"title":"Optical valve plasmonic metamaterial for infrared–visible compatible stealth and selective absorption","authors":"Zhiyu Ren , Sihan Li , Aoming Cao , Sijia Niu , Xiaoming Liu , Wangzhong Mu , Qiang Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.12.021","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mattod.2025.12.021","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Multi-spectral stealth materials have become a strategic priority in national defense. Infrared-visible stealth, a critical component of this technology, demands materials with opposing spectral properties in adjacent bands—high visible absorption coupled with low infrared emission. However, the inherent inverse correlation between infrared emissivity and visible reflectivity complicates the independent optimization of these properties through material composition and structural design. This study proposes a novel optical valve plasmonic stealth (OV-PS) metamaterial to achieve infrared/visible stealth. Compared to open-pore structures, the integration of optical valves on the pore structure functions as wavelength-selective switches, modulating light absorption based on specific spectral bands. By adjusting the spacing and dimensions of the optical valve units, the OV-PS metamaterial can achieve independent regulation of infrared emissivity while maintaining low visible reflectance. The OV-PS metamaterial demonstrates a visible reflectivity of 9.95% and an emissivity of 0.08, effectively addressing the performance limitations of traditional infrared–visible stealth materials. Furthermore, optical valves fabricated through deposition technology enable the co-design of functional and structural units, thereby facilitating multi-functional integration and multi-spectral regulation. This breakthrough holds significant potential for applications in defense, energy, and photonic systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":387,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today","volume":"92 ","pages":"Pages 377-386"},"PeriodicalIF":22.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146016576","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mattod.2025.11.040
Makoto Sakurai
Thermodynamics in nanoscale materials through thermalization process requires a modification as compared to macroscopic thermodynamics. Here, the size-dependent magnetic and thermodynamic properties of nanoscale materials are studied by exploiting the size tunability of on-surface synthesized amino-ferrocene nanoclusters. According to the Mössbauer spectra and the magnetic susceptibility curves of the weakly interacting molecular spins in the nanoclusters, the phase transition temperature from paramagnetic to liquid-like behavior is size-dependent. Stochastic simulations reveal significant differences in the dipole energy and energy fluctuations between the surface and the inner sites of the nanocluster model. These site-dependent features explain the observed size-dependent transition and the mechanism behind liquid-like behavior. These results demonstrate the validity of using this approach to analyze the magnetic and thermodynamic properties of nanoscale materials.
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