Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials最新文献

All-inorganic halide perovskites, such as CsPbBr₃ (CPB), face inherent limitations in the photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ due to their accelerated radiative recombination and insufficient charge carrier separation. In this work, a heterogeneous photocatalyst comprising Bi₂O₂CO₃ (BOC) petals and CPB quantum dots (QDs) was prepared. The opposite surface potentials of the BOC and CPB QDs enabled their electrostatic self-assembly. The CPB QD/BOC exhibited staggered energy-band configurations with a built-in internal electric field, leading to electron migration from the CPB QD to the BOC petals. Owing to its unique band structure and internal electric field, the CPB QD/BOC exhibited an S-scheme-type heterojunction, resulting in fast charge separation. As a result, the CPB QD/BOC exhibited a significantly enhanced photocatalytic CO₂ conversion rate to CO (80.5 μmol g^–1 h^–1) compared to pristine CPB QD (43 μmol g^–1 h^–1). This study opens new avenues for designing highly efficient photocatalysts using inorganic halide perovskites.

As a green and sustainable approach, photoreforming of organic feedstocks has been extensively scrutinized for its potential to simultaneously produce hydrogen (H₂) and by-products under solar irradiation. Methanol is a compelling photoreforming substrate owing to low Gibbs free energy demand and generation of value-added by-products, for instance, formaldehyde (HCHO). In this work, a novel all-solid-state Z-scheme (ZGA) consisting of zinc selenide (ZnSe) coupled with silver carbonate (Ag₂CO₃) bridged by reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as an electron mediator was successfully synthesized as authenticated using XPS and FTIR. Intimate integration of nanosized ZnSe and Ag₂CO₃ enwrapped by rGO was disclosed by HRTEM, which was beneficial for efficient charge transfer. The optical absorption profile of ZGA was elevated in the visible light regime. The Nyquist plot of ZGA exhibited the smallest arc radius, accompanied by the highest transient photocurrent response as well as the shortest average carrier lifetime measured using TRPL. These outcomes collectively corroborated the superior photogeneration and transportation of charge carriers in ZGA. The overall production rate of H₂ achieved by ZGA was 77.7 µmol/g hr, which was 53% and 74% more superior than pristine ZnSe and Ag₂CO₃, respectively. Besides, a remarkable HCHO yield of 248 µmol/g hr was produced from ZGA, signifying the lucrativeness of methanol photoreforming compared to pure water splitting. The boosted performance in ZGA was attributed to the efficient Z-schematic charge transfer pathway endowed by the rGO mediator, which has been substantiated by DFT theoretical calculations. Succinctly, this work established the significance of the charge mediator in facilitating the photocatalytic performance of Z-scheme composites.

The need for effectively wastewater treatment is becoming urgent than before because of the serious enrichment of organic pollutants in natural waters. Researchers are increasingly focusing on strontium (Sr)-based semiconductors and their composites for efficient environmental photocatalysis because of their remarkable advantages. In this work, an integrated solvothermal–chemical precipitation strategy was to synthesize defective SrMoO_4-x nanoparticles with rich oxygen vacancies and hybrid AgCl-decorated SrMoO_4-x heterojunctions for the photodegradation of emerging pollutants. The obtained AgCl/SrMoO_4-x composites showed improved solar-light harvesting capacity through AgCl modification when compared to the SrMoO_4-x nanoparticles. Moreover, the synthesized AgCl/SrMoO_4-x heterojunction composites showed the markedly improved charge separation efficiency and demonstrated outstanding photocatalytic efficiency in degrading carbamazepine and tetracycline pollutants. The apparent rate constant of the optimal AgCl/SrMoO_4-x-51 composite for carbamazepine degradation was measured at 0.04437 min⁻¹, which was approximately 15.20 times that of AgCl and an impressive 748.68 times that of the SrMoO_4-x nanoparticles. Furthermore, ESR analysis for the identification of reactive species revealed that photo-generated holes and ·O₂⁻ species played dominant roles in the degradation of carbamazepine under visible-light irradiation. The current work highlights the significant advantages of plasmonic SrMoO₄-based composite photocatalysts in effectively degrading emerging pollutants outperforming conventional heterojunction photocatalysts.

Organic photochromic compounds represent a crucial class of smart-responsive materials, widely utilized in the fields comprising information storage and anti-counterfeiting. However, their practical applications are often hindered by intrinsic limitations, including lack of multifunctionality and poor stability. These shortcomings impede the realization of versatile performances, restrict compatibility with various anti-counterfeiting strategies, and consequently narrow their application prospects. Therefore, aiming at effectively keeping information security, it is imperative to develop novel materials capable of adapting to a broad range of encryption techniques. Herein this study, a thiophene-stilbene-based optical switching system was successfully developed in the solid state, based on three newly synthesized photochromic molecules: 3,3'-(2,2-diphenylethene-1,1-diyl)bis(benzo[b]thiophene) (2PBS), 3,3'-(2-phenylethene-1,1-diyl)bis(benzo[b]thiophene) (HPBS), and (Z)-1,2-bis(benzo[b]thiophen-3-yl)-1,2-diphenylethene (2PSF), whose reversible and high-contrast photochromic properties were found along with bright fluorescence emission. Upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, the system suffered a rapid photochromic process from white to vivid red or violet, while quickly reverting to the original color under visible light, whereas this ideal material may effectively address practical application barriers required for time-dependent color changes and high sensitivity. In order to enhance its versatility, such a system is seamlessly integrated with various encryption mechanisms, e.g. temperature- and time-based strategies, based on the combination of an aryl vinyl backbone with photoactive thiophene moiety, in addition of integrating logic gates and computational base conversions, while embedding key decryption parameters into complex program logic to promote data protection. Surprisingly, this approach enables to simply achieve near-unlimited information storage by increasing the sample size, suggested by theoretical analysis.

Developing effective raindrop monitors for complex outdoor environments remains a significant challenge. Herein, an innovative raindrop monitoring mechanism based on synergistic charge and proton transfer was proposed to overcome the limitations of traditional deformation-based raindrop monitors, whose accuracy is compromised by interference from wind and insect micro-vibrations. A span-new conductive and superhydrophobic coating was designed through integrating lignin nanospheres, in situ grown ZnO, in situ polymerized polypyrrole (PPY), and polydimethylsiloxane, transforming natural wood into a raindrop monitor via simple spraying. When raindrops contact the raindrop monitor, the charges and protons in the water vapor penetrate the coating to interact with the surface holes of PPY, thereby causing measurable changes in resistance. The coating exhibits excellent superhydrophobicity (water contact angle of 165.8°) and conductivity (0.52 S/m), precisely responding to raindrops with various volumes, heights, and pH values (response time of 282 ms). Furthermore, the coating demonstrates outstanding environmental stability, including remarkable abrasion resistance (maintaining superhydrophobicity after 30 abrasion cycles), outstanding ultraviolet (UV) resistance (retaining superhydrophobicity for 250 h and 13 h under 15 W/m² and 1000 W/m² UV irradiation respectively), and high antibacterial property (99.9% against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus), ensuring its long-term stable operation in complex outdoor environments. Given the simple preparation and superior performance, this work provides a foreseeable prosperity for the long-term application of raindrop monitor in complex outdoor environments to promote ecological research.

MXene-based coatings have emerged as highly efficient materials for anti-icing and deicing applications, offering a combination of photo- and electrothermal properties. These coatings leverage high electrical conductivity, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), and thermal stability of MXenes, particularly Ti₃C₂T_x, to achieve rapid ice melting and delayed freezing. Photo- and electrothermal coatings, which utilize solar energy and electric power, respectively, exhibit high efficiency in active deicing. Hybrid designs integrate superhydrophobicity, reducing heat transfer at the ice-coating interface and preventing secondary freezing. Functional modifications, such as hybridization with Ag nanowires (AgNWs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene oxide (GO), polydopamine (PDA), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), further enhance conductivity, mechanical stability, and oxidation resistance. In this review, we explore the latest advancements in MXene-based anti-icing/deicing strategies, categorizing them into photothermal, electrothermal, and hybrid mechanisms. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in the scalability, long-term durability, and oxidation resistance of MXenes under real-world conditions. In the conclusion section, this review also highlights potential solutions, including surface modifications, polymer encapsulation, and self-healing composites, the importance of AI-driven material design, and self-powered deicing systems.

Graphical Abstract

Accurately sensing the direction and magnitude of strain is essential for decoding complex mechanical deformations, particularly in human-centered wearable technologies. However, conventional technologies based on orthogonally arranged strain sensors fixed on soft substrates inevitably suffer from mechano-electrical coupling between sensing axes, which complicates signal interpretation. In this study, we developed a plain-woven strain sensor composed of piezoresistive rubber nanocomposite strips that achieves exceptionally low axial crosstalk while maintaining high sensitivity and stretchability. The orthogonally interlaced structure enabled mechanical decoupling between sensing axes, resulting in an on-to-off-axis sensitivity ratio of 1446.8. The nanocomposite forming the woven sensing architecture was prepared by infiltrating a swollen rubber matrix with multiwalled carbon nanotubes, resulting in a percolation network beneath the rubber surface while preserving the inherent mechanical properties of natural rubber, including its low elastic modulus and high stretchability. As a result, plain-woven nanocomposite bands exhibited gauge factors of 3.9, 13.4, and 30.5 in the strain ranges of 0–150%, 150–300%, and 300–500%, respectively, with stable cycling performance. The utility of the multidirectional strain sensor was evaluated through glove-based finger gesture recognition and sleeve-based knee joint monitoring. The sensor exhibited accurate decoupling of the strain magnitude and direction, demonstrating its suitability for next-generation wearable biomechanical feedback systems.

Excessive chondrocyte-derived reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS) disrupt redox homeostasis, leading to osteoarthritis (OA) progression. Nanozymes that mimic antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) offer a promising therapeutic strategy for OA by regulating the redox microenvironment. However, limited enzyme activity and biosafety hinder clinical translation. This study describes a ligand-mediated polymerization restriction approach for the design of ultrathin two-dimensional g-C₃N₄-supported nanozymes co-anchored with atomically dispersed Ru–N₅ sites and Ru clusters (Ru_SA+AC). The results show that Ru_SA+AC had a trinity synergistic effect of axial N-ligand Ru-N₅ modulation → electronic coupling of Ru atoms and atomic cluster double sites → g-C₃N₄ carrier/active center interactions. The strategy not only optimized the d-band center modulation, enhanced the stability of Ru atoms, and improved radical adsorption/activation, but also localized electron redistribution and orbital overlap (Ru-d and radical-p), thus enhancing its multi-enzyme mimicry capabilities (SOD/CAT/GPx). In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated Ru_SA+AC had the biosafety, RONS scavenging ability, as well as mitochondrial protection, inflammation inhibition, and reduced apoptosis, thereby delaying OA. Mechanistically, Ru_SA+AC activated the Nrf2/ARE pathway, which upregulates endogenous antioxidants (HO-1, NQO-1) and downregulates inflammatory factors. These findings could advance the design principles of nanozymes and suggest a potential paradigm for redox-targeted therapy against oxidative stress-related diseases.

Targeted modulation of the charge carrier pathways can significantly enhance the sensitivity of the photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunoassays. In this study, we designed an atomic-level anisotropic electric field triggered through target molecules into BiOCl nanosheets semiconductors to enable the sensitive screening of hepatocellular carcinoma-related cancer biomarker (alpha-fetoprotein: AFP) in biological fluids. Uniformly exposed {110} facets on BiOCl nanosheets were achieved by coupling with a thermochemical treatment method. In the presence of target AFP, the analyte was captured to form a sandwich-type immunocomplex between capture antibody (cAb) and nano-FeCuO-labeled detection antibody (dAb). Under acid treatment, the abundant Fe and Cu ions released from the nanolabels could form the coordination complexes on the BiOCl surface to in-situ construct an anisotropic internal electric field and enable directional control of charge carrier pathways. Density-functional theory (DFT) calculations, complemented by XPS and solid-state UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, confirmed that Fe and Cu introduced intermediate energy levels within the intrinsic BiOCl semiconductor. These elements simultaneously establish anisotropic electric fields, synergistically enhancing the sensor's detection sensitivity. Under optimized conditions, the developed PEC immunosensing platform, utilizing an interface-independent anisotropic electric field strategy, achieved an ultra-wide linear range (0.005 – 100 ng mL⁻¹) and an ultra-low detection limit (0.47 pg mL⁻¹) for target AFP. This work provides a new electric field modulation approach for designing high-performance PEC immunosensing systems.

Graphical Abstract

Electrophoretic displays (EPDs), recognized for their low power consumption and portability, offer a viable alternative to plain paper. However, their adoption in high-frame-rate applications has been limited by slow response times. Here, we report a UV-curable copolymer system through the copolymerization of polyurethane acrylate (PUA) with methyl methacrylate (MMA), with the aim of enhancing the dielectric properties of the microcup layer and thereby improving EPD response performance. After systematic optimization, the PUA-15%MMA copolymer film demonstrates a well-balanced profile of properties compared to pure PUA, including considerable optical properties, enhanced mechanical strength (32.9 MPa vs 18.7 MPa), strengthened modulus (660.7 MPa vs 330.4 MPa), and particularly the raised dielectric constant (7.4 vs 4.2, at 1 kHz). It is inspiring to find that this optimized film enables a rapid electro-optical response, achieving an 800-ms white-black state switching time at 30 V. To verify the applicability, this copolymer film is processed into precise microcup arrays using nanoimprinting technique, exhibiting excellent dimensional stability and solvent resistance. The corresponding microcups are also utilized for the assembly of a EPD device, successfully allowing the display of the university logo after being driven. Combined with an appropriate e-ink, this UV-curable, mechanically robust, transparent, and high-κ copolymer film is expected to be used as a promising candidate for durable and fast response EPDs.