Pub Date : 2025-09-26DOI: 10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100355
Jialin Niu , Yongxing Wei , Yanghuan Deng , Changpeng Guan , Changqing Jin , Leiyang Zhang , Ruiyi Jing , Zhong Yang , Zengyun Jian , Zhonghua Dai , Zengzhe Xi , Roman G. Burkovsky , Li Jin
High-performance lead-free piezoelectric single crystals are urgently needed for next-generation actuators and transducers. In this study, we reveal that a compositionally driven tetragonal-pseudocubic (T-PC) phase boundary, in conjunction with an octahedral order–disorder tilting transition, significantly enhances the piezoelectric response in Nb5+-substitution (Bi0.48Na0.425K0.055Ba0.04)(Ti0.98Nb0.02)O3 (BNKBT-2Nb) single crystals. The crystal achieves an outstanding piezoelectric coefficient of d33=662 pC/N at room temperature. In situ X-ray diffraction confirms an electric field-induced transition from the PC to T phase. Atomic-resolution HADDF-STEM analysis reveals an increase in the c/a ratio (c/a>1.01) on the local scale and ordered octahedral tilting of the a0a0c+ type driven by the poling field. The single crystals exhibit excellent piezoelectric performance over a broad temperature range, achieving a peak d33 of 920 pC/N at approximately 92 °C. Furthermore, the polar states exhibit a pronounced frequency dependence near the depolarization temperature. These findings provide critical insight into the structure-property relationship and offer a promising pathway for designing advanced lead-free piezoelectric crystals for functional electromechanical applications.
{"title":"Tetragonal-pseudocubic phase boundaries and octahedral order-disorder tilting transitions facilitate high piezoelectric performance in Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3-based single crystals","authors":"Jialin Niu , Yongxing Wei , Yanghuan Deng , Changpeng Guan , Changqing Jin , Leiyang Zhang , Ruiyi Jing , Zhong Yang , Zengyun Jian , Zhonghua Dai , Zengzhe Xi , Roman G. Burkovsky , Li Jin","doi":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100355","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100355","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High-performance lead-free piezoelectric single crystals are urgently needed for next-generation actuators and transducers. In this study, we reveal that a compositionally driven tetragonal-pseudocubic (T-PC) phase boundary, in conjunction with an octahedral order–disorder tilting transition, significantly enhances the piezoelectric response in Nb<sup>5+</sup>-substitution (Bi<sub>0.48</sub>Na<sub>0.425</sub>K<sub>0.055</sub>Ba<sub>0.04</sub>)(Ti<sub>0.98</sub>Nb<sub>0.02</sub>)O<sub>3</sub> (BNKBT-2Nb) single crystals. The crystal achieves an outstanding piezoelectric coefficient of <em>d</em><sub>33</sub>=662 pC/N at room temperature. In situ X-ray diffraction confirms an electric field-induced transition from the PC to T phase. Atomic-resolution HADDF-STEM analysis reveals an increase in the <em>c/a</em> ratio (<em>c/a</em>>1.01) on the local scale and ordered octahedral tilting of the <em>a</em><sup>0</sup><em>a</em><sup>0</sup><em>c</em><sup>+</sup> type driven by the poling field. The single crystals exhibit excellent piezoelectric performance over a broad temperature range, achieving a peak <em>d</em><sub>33</sub> of 920 pC/N at approximately 92 °C. Furthermore, the polar states exhibit a pronounced frequency dependence near the depolarization temperature. These findings provide critical insight into the structure-property relationship and offer a promising pathway for designing advanced lead-free piezoelectric crystals for functional electromechanical applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7283,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Powder Materials","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100355"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145327175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-17DOI: 10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100344
Jin Liang , Siying Zhu , Dewei Chen , Yinjun Li , Dong Zhou , Nan Meng , Yaozu Liao , Hanxu Sun , Jie Kong
Built-in electric fields (BIEF), engineered via space charge manipulation, represent an effective strategy for enhance electromagnetic loss. However, single BIEF fail to reconcile the impedance matching and strong electromagnetic attenuation across broad frequency spectra, resulting in limited effective absorption bandwidth (EAB). To address this, dual-BIEF are constructed utilizing an asymmetric gradient electric field structure and multi-polarization center coordination to achieve high-efficiency broad EAB. Herein, heterostructure Ni-Co bimetallic nanocomposites (Ni0.5Co0.5@NiCoO2/NCP) are constructed via Ni-Co-based nanocomposites (NiCoO2 and Ni0.5Co0.5) integrated with nitrogen-doped nanoporous carbon (NCP). This configuration forms dual heterojunctions the NCP-NiCoO2-semiconductor heterojunction and the NiCoO2-Ni0.5Co0.5 Mott-Schottky heterojunction—forming the dual-BIEF system. The superposed dual-BIEF drives charge-pumping dynamics facilitating oriented transfer and transition of charges that strengthen interfacial polarization and reduced relaxation times. Theoretical calculations confirm this system simultaneously modulates conductivity, intensifies polarization relaxation, promotes charge separation, and optimizes dipole distribution. Dielectric loss from semiconductor junctions dominates the low-frequency regime, while conductive loss via Mott-Schottky junctions prevails at high frequencies. Thus, the Ni0.5Co0.5@NiCoO2/NCP achieves excellent microwave absorption with a remarkable minimum reflection loss of −51.5 dB, and an EAB of 6.4 GHz at 2.8 mm thickness. This work establishes a dual-BIEF strategy for effectively engineering high-performance electromagnetic wave absorption materials.
{"title":"Dual built-in electric field engineering in heterostructure nickel-cobalt bimetallic composites for boosted electromagnetic energy dissipation","authors":"Jin Liang , Siying Zhu , Dewei Chen , Yinjun Li , Dong Zhou , Nan Meng , Yaozu Liao , Hanxu Sun , Jie Kong","doi":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100344","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100344","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Built-in electric fields (BIEF), engineered via space charge manipulation, represent an effective strategy for enhance electromagnetic loss. However, single BIEF fail to reconcile the impedance matching and strong electromagnetic attenuation across broad frequency spectra, resulting in limited effective absorption bandwidth (EAB). To address this, dual-BIEF are constructed utilizing an asymmetric gradient electric field structure and multi-polarization center coordination to achieve high-efficiency broad EAB. Herein, heterostructure Ni-Co bimetallic nanocomposites (Ni<sub>0.5</sub>Co<sub>0.5</sub>@NiCoO<sub>2</sub>/NCP) are constructed via Ni-Co-based nanocomposites (NiCoO<sub>2</sub> and Ni<sub>0.5</sub>Co<sub>0.5</sub>) integrated with nitrogen-doped nanoporous carbon (NCP). This configuration forms dual heterojunctions the NCP-NiCoO<sub>2</sub>-semiconductor heterojunction and the NiCoO<sub>2</sub>-Ni<sub>0.5</sub>Co<sub>0.5</sub> Mott-Schottky heterojunction—forming the dual-BIEF system. The superposed dual-BIEF drives charge-pumping dynamics facilitating oriented transfer and transition of charges that strengthen interfacial polarization and reduced relaxation times. Theoretical calculations confirm this system simultaneously modulates conductivity, intensifies polarization relaxation, promotes charge separation, and optimizes dipole distribution. Dielectric loss from semiconductor junctions dominates the low-frequency regime, while conductive loss via Mott-Schottky junctions prevails at high frequencies. Thus, the Ni<sub>0.5</sub>Co<sub>0.5</sub>@NiCoO<sub>2</sub>/NCP achieves excellent microwave absorption with a remarkable minimum reflection loss of −51.5 dB, and an EAB of 6.4 GHz at 2.8 mm thickness. This work establishes a dual-BIEF strategy for effectively engineering high-performance electromagnetic wave absorption materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7283,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Powder Materials","volume":"4 6","pages":"Article 100344"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145156157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-16DOI: 10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100342
Zeqi Hu , Changlin Huang , Lechun Xie , Lin Hua , Yujie Yuan , Lai-Chang Zhang
Additive manufacturing (AM) promotes the production of metallic parts with significant design flexibility, yet its use in critical applications is hindered by challenges in ensuring consistent quality and performance. Process variability often leads to defects, insufficient geometric accuracy and inadequate material properties, which are difficult to effectively manage due to limitations of traditional quality control methods in modeling high-dimensional nonlinear relationships and enabling adaptive control. Machine learning (ML) offers a transformative approach to model intricate process-structure-property relationships by leveraging the rich data environment of AM. The study presents a comprehensive examination of ML-driven quality assurance implementations in metallic AM. First, it uniquely examines the innovative exploration of ML in predicting and understanding the fundamental multi-physics fields that influence the quality of a fabricated component, including temperature fields, fluid dynamics and stress/strain evolution. Subsequently, the application of ML in optimizing key quality attributes, including defect detection and mitigation (porosity, cracks, etc.), geometric fidelity enhancement (dimensional accuracy, surface roughness, etc.) and material property tailoring (mechanical strength, fatigue life, corrosion resistance, etc.), are discussed in detail. Finally, the development of ML-driven real-time closed-loop control systems for intelligent quality assurance, the strategies for addressing the data scarcity and cross-scenario transferability in metal AM are discussed. This article provides a novel perspective on the profound potential of ML technology for metal AM quality control applications, highlights the challenges faced during research, and outlines future development directions.
{"title":"Machine learning assisted quality control in metal additive manufacturing: a review","authors":"Zeqi Hu , Changlin Huang , Lechun Xie , Lin Hua , Yujie Yuan , Lai-Chang Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100342","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100342","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Additive manufacturing (AM) promotes the production of metallic parts with significant design flexibility, yet its use in critical applications is hindered by challenges in ensuring consistent quality and performance. Process variability often leads to defects, insufficient geometric accuracy and inadequate material properties, which are difficult to effectively manage due to limitations of traditional quality control methods in modeling high-dimensional nonlinear relationships and enabling adaptive control. Machine learning (ML) offers a transformative approach to model intricate process-structure-property relationships by leveraging the rich data environment of AM. The study presents a comprehensive examination of ML-driven quality assurance implementations in metallic AM. First, it uniquely examines the innovative exploration of ML in predicting and understanding the fundamental multi-physics fields that influence the quality of a fabricated component, including temperature fields, fluid dynamics and stress/strain evolution. Subsequently, the application of ML in optimizing key quality attributes, including defect detection and mitigation (porosity, cracks, etc.), geometric fidelity enhancement (dimensional accuracy, surface roughness, etc.) and material property tailoring (mechanical strength, fatigue life, corrosion resistance, etc.), are discussed in detail. Finally, the development of ML-driven real-time closed-loop control systems for intelligent quality assurance, the strategies for addressing the data scarcity and cross-scenario transferability in metal AM are discussed. This article provides a novel perspective on the profound potential of ML technology for metal AM quality control applications, highlights the challenges faced during research, and outlines future development directions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7283,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Powder Materials","volume":"4 6","pages":"Article 100342"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145217865","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-11DOI: 10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100343
Rujun Yang , Kunjie Song , Yuantian Zheng , Chenhan Zhan , Yajing Wang , Cunjian Lin , Tianliang Zhou , Yixi Zhuang , Rongjun Xie
Persistent Luminescence (PersL) materials, which use traps to store energy and emit photons over a long period, have found important applications in the fields of optical information storage, security labeling, and biological imaging. The trap depth is a crucial factor determining the performance of these materials; however, achieving the desired trap depth with high precision remains a great challenge. Here, we provide double perovskite phosphors (Cs2SnCl6-Cs2ZrCl6-Cs2HfCl6 series) with highly compatible crystal structures, enabling continuous and precise tuning of trap depth over an ultra-wide range of 0.11–1.25 eV. By incorporating W4+ as the luminescent centers, these phosphors exhibit outstanding near-infrared (NIR) PersL performance at approximately 900 nm and a lasting emission duration exceeding 10 h. The underlying mechanism of PersL is elucidated, and the wide-range tunability of trap depth is attributed to the universal applicability of band-gap engineering in the entire material system. Furthermore, we demonstrate the practical application of these materials by designing a flexible detector plate for X-ray imaging. The detector plate exhibits a storage time of more than 1 week, a detection limit of 0.83 μGyair·s−1 in the near-infrared region, and real-time and delay-time imaging resolutions of 14.2 lp·mm−1 and 2.5 lp·mm−1, respectively. These attributes demonstrate strong potential for X-ray luminescence extension imaging.
{"title":"Wide-range tuning of trap depths in double perovskite phosphors enabling tunable NIR persistent luminescence","authors":"Rujun Yang , Kunjie Song , Yuantian Zheng , Chenhan Zhan , Yajing Wang , Cunjian Lin , Tianliang Zhou , Yixi Zhuang , Rongjun Xie","doi":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100343","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100343","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Persistent Luminescence (PersL) materials, which use traps to store energy and emit photons over a long period, have found important applications in the fields of optical information storage, security labeling, and biological imaging. The trap depth is a crucial factor determining the performance of these materials; however, achieving the desired trap depth with high precision remains a great challenge. Here, we provide double perovskite phosphors (Cs<sub>2</sub>SnCl<sub>6</sub>-Cs<sub>2</sub>ZrCl<sub>6</sub>-Cs<sub>2</sub>HfCl<sub>6</sub> series) with highly compatible crystal structures, enabling continuous and precise tuning of trap depth over an ultra-wide range of 0.11–1.25 eV. By incorporating W<sup>4+</sup> as the luminescent centers, these phosphors exhibit outstanding near-infrared (NIR) PersL performance at approximately 900 nm and a lasting emission duration exceeding 10 h. The underlying mechanism of PersL is elucidated, and the wide-range tunability of trap depth is attributed to the universal applicability of band-gap engineering in the entire material system. Furthermore, we demonstrate the practical application of these materials by designing a flexible detector plate for X-ray imaging. The detector plate exhibits a storage time of more than 1 week, a detection limit of 0.83 μGy<sub>air</sub>·s<sup>−1</sup> in the near-infrared region, and real-time and delay-time imaging resolutions of 14.2 lp·mm<sup>−1</sup> and 2.5 lp·mm<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. These attributes demonstrate strong potential for X-ray luminescence extension imaging.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7283,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Powder Materials","volume":"4 6","pages":"Article 100343"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145156159","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Formation of multicomponent ceramics is one of the most promising strategies for enhancing the ablation resistance of ultra-high-temperature carbide ceramics (UHTCCs), while the effects of the elements are the foundation. Here, we reported an elemental synergistic effect by investigating the ablation behavior of three components, including Zr1/2Hf1/3Ti1/6C (ZHTi), Zr1/2Hf1/3Ta1/6C (ZHTa), and Zr1/2Hf1/3Ti1/12Ta1/12C (ZHTT). Results indicate that the Ti-Ta synergistic effect enables ZHTT to exhibit a low recession rate (3.33 μm/s) and linear expansion rate (2.00 μm/s) of its oxide layer, attributable to enhanced self-healing capability and durable protection. During ablation, outward diffusion of Ti can heal the oxide layer, but results in severe consumption of UHTCCs. Although the low-volatility oxide formed by Ta can reduce the loss rate of the matrix, the negligible outward diffusion of Ta leads to the formation of a porous outer oxide layer. The co-addition of Ti and Ta simultaneously provides effective self-healing and low matrix recession, enabling enhanced ablation resistance of ZHTT.
{"title":"Elemental synergistic effect for enhancing ablation resistance of Zr1/2Hf1/3Ti1/12Ta1/12C ceramic","authors":"Weilong Song, Shiyan Chen, Fengminyu Xie, Zhennan Xu, Shijie Bai, Qingbo Wen, Xiang Xiong, ZhaoKe Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100340","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100340","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Formation of multicomponent ceramics is one of the most promising strategies for enhancing the ablation resistance of ultra-high-temperature carbide ceramics (UHTCCs), while the effects of the elements are the foundation. Here, we reported an elemental synergistic effect by investigating the ablation behavior of three components, including Zr<sub>1/2</sub>Hf<sub>1/3</sub>Ti<sub>1/6</sub>C (ZHTi), Zr<sub>1/2</sub>Hf<sub>1/3</sub>Ta<sub>1/6</sub>C (ZHTa), and Zr<sub>1/2</sub>Hf<sub>1/3</sub>Ti<sub>1/12</sub>Ta<sub>1/12</sub>C (ZHTT). Results indicate that the Ti-Ta synergistic effect enables ZHTT to exhibit a low recession rate (3.33 μm/s) and linear expansion rate (2.00 μm/s) of its oxide layer, attributable to enhanced self-healing capability and durable protection. During ablation, outward diffusion of Ti can heal the oxide layer, but results in severe consumption of UHTCCs. Although the low-volatility oxide formed by Ta can reduce the loss rate of the matrix, the negligible outward diffusion of Ta leads to the formation of a porous outer oxide layer. The co-addition of Ti and Ta simultaneously provides effective self-healing and low matrix recession, enabling enhanced ablation resistance of ZHTT.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7283,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Powder Materials","volume":"4 6","pages":"Article 100340"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145156158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Self-charging power systems are required for wearable electronic devices to provide energy supply. However, low charging efficiency, complex preparation process and poor wearability limit its application. Herein, a highly efficient, wearable self-charging power system is reported, which consists of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with fabric coated by MXene paste as conductive layer and micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) with graphene films as electrode. The conductive layer of TENG was prepared by dip-spin coating MXene paste on cotton fabric. The electrodes of MSCs were made by mask-assisted vacuum filtration of graphene solution. The TENG conductive layer and MSCs electrodes with electrolyte were encapsulated by two identical silicone rubbers. The silicon rubbers work as triboelectric layer of the TENG as well as the protective layers of the self-charging power system. The cotton fabrics and silicon rubbers provide strength and flexibility for the system. The MXene paste on cotton fabrics provides excellent energy harvesting ability of TENG due to high conductivity and high charge trapping ability. The TENG can harvest the energy of pressing by a palm. After 147 s of continually pressing/releasing cycles, the collected energy can charge 2 series-connected MSCs array to 1.6 V, which can power an electronic watch for 25 s. Compared with similar systems, this self-charging system was constructed by a simple method from low cost starting materials and exhibits ultra-high performance. The research provides an easy and economical solution of self-charge system for wearable electronic devices.
{"title":"A wearable self-charging power system integrating micro-supercapacitors and triboelectric nanogenerators with MXene-coated fabric as conductive layer","authors":"Jiacheng Fan, Chenfang Lou, Pinghao Cui, Qixun Xia, Libo Wang, Yukai Chang, Aiguo Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100341","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100341","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Self-charging power systems are required for wearable electronic devices to provide energy supply. However, low charging efficiency, complex preparation process and poor wearability limit its application. Herein, a highly efficient, wearable self-charging power system is reported, which consists of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with fabric coated by MXene paste as conductive layer and micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) with graphene films as electrode. The conductive layer of TENG was prepared by dip-spin coating MXene paste on cotton fabric. The electrodes of MSCs were made by mask-assisted vacuum filtration of graphene solution. The TENG conductive layer and MSCs electrodes with electrolyte were encapsulated by two identical silicone rubbers. The silicon rubbers work as triboelectric layer of the TENG as well as the protective layers of the self-charging power system. The cotton fabrics and silicon rubbers provide strength and flexibility for the system. The MXene paste on cotton fabrics provides excellent energy harvesting ability of TENG due to high conductivity and high charge trapping ability. The TENG can harvest the energy of pressing by a palm. After 147 s of continually pressing/releasing cycles, the collected energy can charge 2 series-connected MSCs array to 1.6 V, which can power an electronic watch for 25 s. Compared with similar systems, this self-charging system was constructed by a simple method from low cost starting materials and exhibits ultra-high performance. The research provides an easy and economical solution of self-charge system for wearable electronic devices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7283,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Powder Materials","volume":"4 6","pages":"Article 100341"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145156171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Photocatalysis is one of the most capable green energy techniques for sustainable solar-to-chemical energy conversion. However, the speedy recombination of photocarriers remains a critical bottleneck in achieving high photocatalytic efficiency. Recent advancements have underscored the pivotal role of internal and external electrostatic fields in regulating charge dynamics within semiconductor systems. This review highlights the emerging strategy of employing non-covalent electrostatic interactions to modulate photocatalytic behavior. Internally, spontaneous polarization within polar or ferroelectric semiconductors facilitates efficient charge separation through built-in electric fields. Externally applied mechanical stress and magnetic fields further augment these effects via piezoelectric and magnetoelectric phenomena, offering dynamic control over carrier transport. Beyond macroscopic fields, subtle non-covalent electrostatic forces, such as hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, and π-π stacking, significantly influence surface adsorption, electronic structure modulation, and interfacial charge transfer processes. Combining these external influences with semiconductor properties, we can develop innovative strategies to stabilize the reactive intermediates and reduce the recombination pathways, improving the practical implications of these synergistic effects in energy conversion and environmental remediation. This review systematically elucidates the mechanistic contributions of internal polarization and external fields to the modulation of non-covalent electrostatic forces in photocatalytic systems. Emphasis is placed on material design strategies that integrate structural polarity, field-responsive behavior, and interfacial engineering to achieve superior photocatalytic performance. Finally, the prospects of non-covalent electrostatic interactions in photocatalysis are discussed, providing insights to guide the rational development of more efficient and sustainable photocatalytic systems.
{"title":"Unlocking the non-covalent electrostatic engineering of photocatalysts: From molecular interactions to multifield tuning strategies toward enhanced charge dynamics","authors":"Rohit Kumar , Monika Malhotra , Anita Sudhaik , Pankaj Raizada , Xuan-Cuong Luu , Aftab Aslam Parwaz Khan , Sourbh Thakur , Tansir Ahamad , Van-Huy Nguyen , Pardeep Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100338","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100338","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Photocatalysis is one of the most capable green energy techniques for sustainable solar-to-chemical energy conversion. However, the speedy recombination of photocarriers remains a critical bottleneck in achieving high photocatalytic efficiency. Recent advancements have underscored the pivotal role of internal and external electrostatic fields in regulating charge dynamics within semiconductor systems. This review highlights the emerging strategy of employing non-covalent electrostatic interactions to modulate photocatalytic behavior. Internally, spontaneous polarization within polar or ferroelectric semiconductors facilitates efficient charge separation through built-in electric fields. Externally applied mechanical stress and magnetic fields further augment these effects via piezoelectric and magnetoelectric phenomena, offering dynamic control over carrier transport. Beyond macroscopic fields, subtle non-covalent electrostatic forces, such as hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, and π-π stacking, significantly influence surface adsorption, electronic structure modulation, and interfacial charge transfer processes. Combining these external influences with semiconductor properties, we can develop innovative strategies to stabilize the reactive intermediates and reduce the recombination pathways, improving the practical implications of these synergistic effects in energy conversion and environmental remediation. This review systematically elucidates the mechanistic contributions of internal polarization and external fields to the modulation of non-covalent electrostatic forces in photocatalytic systems. Emphasis is placed on material design strategies that integrate structural polarity, field-responsive behavior, and interfacial engineering to achieve superior photocatalytic performance. Finally, the prospects of non-covalent electrostatic interactions in photocatalysis are discussed, providing insights to guide the rational development of more efficient and sustainable photocatalytic systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7283,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Powder Materials","volume":"4 6","pages":"Article 100338"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145217866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100336
Jaehyeong Bae , Bong Lim Suh , Hamin Shin , Jihan Kim , Il-Doo Kim
The crystallization of ionic crystals has traditionally been explained by Gibbs's classical nucleation theory. However, recent observations of intermediate phases during nucleation suggest that the process may be more complex, necessitating new theoretical frameworks, though key empirical evidence remains elusive. In this study, we used microdroplets to investigate the crystallization of sodium halides (NaCl, NaBr, and NaI) under homogeneous nucleation conditions across a wide range of supersaturations. In the evaporating droplet, NaCl follows the classical nucleation pathway, whereas NaBr and NaI exhibit the formation of an intermediate phase prior to the nucleation of anhydrous and hydrous single crystals, respectively. Optical and computational analyses indicate that these intermediate phases are liquid crystal phases composed of contact ion pairs. These findings establish a new theoretical framework for crystal nucleation and growth and offer methods to control nucleation pathways, enabling us to achieve desired crystals regardless of specific conditions.
{"title":"Discovery of a liquid crystal phase of sodium halides via a nonclassical nucleation pathway","authors":"Jaehyeong Bae , Bong Lim Suh , Hamin Shin , Jihan Kim , Il-Doo Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100336","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100336","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The crystallization of ionic crystals has traditionally been explained by Gibbs's classical nucleation theory. However, recent observations of intermediate phases during nucleation suggest that the process may be more complex, necessitating new theoretical frameworks, though key empirical evidence remains elusive. In this study, we used microdroplets to investigate the crystallization of sodium halides (NaCl, NaBr, and NaI) under homogeneous nucleation conditions across a wide range of supersaturations. In the evaporating droplet, NaCl follows the classical nucleation pathway, whereas NaBr and NaI exhibit the formation of an intermediate phase prior to the nucleation of anhydrous and hydrous single crystals, respectively. Optical and computational analyses indicate that these intermediate phases are liquid crystal phases composed of contact ion pairs. These findings establish a new theoretical framework for crystal nucleation and growth and offer methods to control nucleation pathways, enabling us to achieve desired crystals regardless of specific conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7283,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Powder Materials","volume":"4 6","pages":"Article 100336"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145109193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-30DOI: 10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100337
Jiaqi Wei , Zhiwang Liu , Hongyan Li
Potassium ion batteries (PIBs) have attracted widespread attention due to their higher power density, low operating voltage, wide temperature range adaptability, and cost effectiveness. Nevertheless, the practical application of PIBs remains hindered by several critical challenges, including limited specific capacity, poor cycling stability, and severe volume expansion of electrode materials. Among various candidate electrode materials, tellurium-based materials exhibit significant application potential in PIBs owing to their outstanding electronic conductivity, high theoretical specific capacity, and unique structural characteristics. This review systematically summarizes recent research progress on elemental tellurium, telluride, tellurium compounds, and tellurium-doped materials in the context of PIBs electrode. Furthermore, the electrochemical performance, potassium storage mechanisms, and structural evolution processes of these materials are comprehensively analyzed. In particular, modulation strategies including morphology control, composite structures, and defect engineering have been shown to be effective in enhancing the cycling durability, rate capability and K+ diffusion rate of tellurium-based electrode materials. Eventually, the key issues and technical bottlenecks currently faced by tellurium-based materials in PIBs are discussed, and future development directions along with potential engineering applications are envisioned. This review aims to provide a theoretical foundation and guidance for the development of high performance PIBs electrode materials.
{"title":"Tellurium-based potassium-ion batteries: design strategies, challenges, and prospects for emerging electrode materials","authors":"Jiaqi Wei , Zhiwang Liu , Hongyan Li","doi":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100337","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100337","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Potassium ion batteries (PIBs) have attracted widespread attention due to their higher power density, low operating voltage, wide temperature range adaptability, and cost effectiveness. Nevertheless, the practical application of PIBs remains hindered by several critical challenges, including limited specific capacity, poor cycling stability, and severe volume expansion of electrode materials. Among various candidate electrode materials, tellurium-based materials exhibit significant application potential in PIBs owing to their outstanding electronic conductivity, high theoretical specific capacity, and unique structural characteristics. This review systematically summarizes recent research progress on elemental tellurium, telluride, tellurium compounds, and tellurium-doped materials in the context of PIBs electrode. Furthermore, the electrochemical performance, potassium storage mechanisms, and structural evolution processes of these materials are comprehensively analyzed. In particular, modulation strategies including morphology control, composite structures, and defect engineering have been shown to be effective in enhancing the cycling durability, rate capability and K<sup>+</sup> diffusion rate of tellurium-based electrode materials. Eventually, the key issues and technical bottlenecks currently faced by tellurium-based materials in PIBs are discussed, and future development directions along with potential engineering applications are envisioned. This review aims to provide a theoretical foundation and guidance for the development of high performance PIBs electrode materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7283,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Powder Materials","volume":"4 6","pages":"Article 100337"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145109192","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-22DOI: 10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100334
Yujin Chae , Shi-Hyun Seok , Yeoseon Sim , Ju-Hyoung Han , Jaeeun Park , Younggeun Jang , Mincheal Kim , Young Ho Jin , EunMi Choi , Zonghoon Lee , Soon-Yong Kwon
Two-dimensional (2D) nitride MXenes are predicted to exhibit exceptional metallic properties and high polarity; however, their synthesis remains challenging. Research has relied on traditional molten salt etching, highlighting the need for a scalable, high-purity approach. Here, we present the first solution-based synthesis of Ti4N3Tx MXene via a novel saturated salt solution (S3) etching technique employing alkali metal salts. By optimizing the sintering process for high-purity Ti4AlN3 MAX and refining the S3 etching route, we significantly reduced the etch pit density to 1.2×106 cm−2 and lowered the etch pit formation rate to 4 %, yielding high-quality, phase-pure Ti4N3Tx MXene. Our study highlights the critical role of alkali metal ions in selective A-layer removal and demonstrates the impressive electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding performance of 2D nitride MXene, setting a new benchmark for this underexplored material. These findings pave the way for advancing 2D nitride MXenes and their diverse applications.
{"title":"Scalable synthesis of high-purity Ti4N3Tx MXene via saturated salt solution (S3) etching","authors":"Yujin Chae , Shi-Hyun Seok , Yeoseon Sim , Ju-Hyoung Han , Jaeeun Park , Younggeun Jang , Mincheal Kim , Young Ho Jin , EunMi Choi , Zonghoon Lee , Soon-Yong Kwon","doi":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100334","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apmate.2025.100334","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Two-dimensional (2D) nitride MXenes are predicted to exhibit exceptional metallic properties and high polarity; however, their synthesis remains challenging. Research has relied on traditional molten salt etching, highlighting the need for a scalable, high-purity approach. Here, we present the first solution-based synthesis of Ti<sub>4</sub>N<sub>3</sub>T<sub><em>x</em></sub> MXene via a novel saturated salt solution (S<sup>3</sup>) etching technique employing alkali metal salts. By optimizing the sintering process for high-purity Ti<sub>4</sub>AlN<sub>3</sub> MAX and refining the S<sup>3</sup> etching route, we significantly reduced the etch pit density to 1.2×10<sup>6</sup> cm<sup>−2</sup> and lowered the etch pit formation rate to 4 %, yielding high-quality, phase-pure Ti<sub>4</sub>N<sub>3</sub>T<sub><em>x</em></sub> MXene. Our study highlights the critical role of alkali metal ions in selective A-layer removal and demonstrates the impressive electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding performance of 2D nitride MXene, setting a new benchmark for this underexplored material. These findings pave the way for advancing 2D nitride MXenes and their diverse applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7283,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Powder Materials","volume":"4 6","pages":"Article 100334"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145045506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}