Stacking MoS_(2) flower-like microspheres on pomelo peels-derived porous carbon nanosheets for high-efficient X-band electromagnetic wave absorption

The key to solve increasingly severe electromagnetic(EM)pollution is to explore sustainable,easily prepared,and cost-effective EM wave absorption materials with exceptional absorption capability.Herein,instead of anchoring on carbon materials in single layer,MoS_(2) flower-like microspheres were stacked on the surface of pomelo peels-derived porous carbon nanosheets(C)to fabricate MoS_(2)@C nanocomposites by a facile solvothermal process.EM wave absorption performances of MoS_(2)@C nanocomposites in X-band were systematically investigated,indicating the minimum reflection loss(RLmin)of-62.3 dB(thickness of 2.88 mm)and effective absorption bandwidth(EAB)almost covering the whole X-band(thickness of 2.63 mm)with the filler loading of only 20 wt.%.Superior EM wave absorption performances of MoS_(2)@C nanocomposites could be attributed to the excellent impedance matching characteristic and dielectric loss capacity(conduction loss and polarization loss).This study revealed that the as-prepared MoS_(2)@C nanocomposites would be a novel prospective candidate for the sustainable EM absorbents with superior EM wave absorption performances.

Atomically dispersed materials:Ideal catalysts in atomic era

Catalysts can accelerate the chemical reaction rate and effectively promote the molecules transformation,which is of great significance in the research of chemical industry and material science.The extreme utilization of reactive sites has led to the emergence and development of atomically dispersed materials(ADMs).The highly active coordination unsaturated metal sites and fully utilized metal atoms make ADMs show great potential in catalytic reactions.The adjustment of coordination environment and electronic structure provides more possibilities for constructing reactive centers with different properties.This review summarized the application and research progress of ADMs in different fields.The design strategy and structure–activity relationship of ADMs for specific reactions were summarized and analyzed.Moreover,we also provided advices for the challenges and opportunities faced by ADMs in catalytic reactions.

The reformation of catalyst:From a trial-and-error synthesis to rational design

The appropriate catalysts can accelerate the reaction rate and effectively boost the efficient conversion of various molecules,which is of great importance in the study of chemistry,chemical industry,energy,materials and environmental science.Therefore,efficient,environmentally friendly,and easy to operate synthesis methods have been used to prepare various types of catalysts.Although previous studies have reported the synthesis and characterization of the aforementioned catalysts,more still remain in trial and error methods,without in-depth consideration and improvement of traditional synthesis methods.Here,we comprehensively summarize and compare the preparation methods of the trial-and-error synthesis strategy,structure–activity relationships and density functional theory(DFT)guided catalysts rational design for nanomaterials and atomically dispersed catalysts.We also discuss in detail the utilization of the nanomaterials and single atom catalysts for converting small molecules(H_(2)O,O_(2),CO_(2),N_(2),etc.)into value-added products driven by electrocatalysis,photocatalysis,and thermocatalysis.Finally,the challenges and outlooks of mass preparation and production of efficient and green catalysts through conventional trial and error synthesis and DFT theory are featured in accordance with its current development.

Ru-doped functional porous materials for electrocatalytic water splitting

Electrolytic water splitting(EWS)is an attractive and promising technique for the production of hydrogen energy.Nevertheless,the sluggish kinetic rate of hydrogen/oxygen evolution reactions leads to a high overpotential and low energy efficiency.Up to date,Pt/Ir-based nanocatalysts have become the state-of-the-art EWS catalysts,but disadvantages such as high cost and low earth abundance greatly limit their applications in EWS devices.As an attractive candidate for the Pt/Ir catalysts,series of Ru-based nanomaterials have aroused much attention for their low price,Pt-like hydrogen bond strength,and high EWS activity.In particular,Ru-doped functional porous materials have been becoming one of the most representative EWS catalysts,which can not only achieve the dispersion and adjustment for active Ru sites,but also simultaneously solve the problems of mass transfer and catalytic conversion in EWS.In this review,the design and preparation strategies of Ru-doped functional porous materials toward EWS in recent years are summarized,including Ru-doped metal organic frameworks(MOFs),Ru-doped porous organic polymers(POPs),and their derivatives.Meanwhile,detailed structure–activity relationships induced by the tuned geometric/electronic structures of Ru-doped functional porous materials are further depicted in this review.Last but not least,the challenges and perspectives of Ru-doped functional porous materials catalysts are reasonably proposed to provide fresh ideas for the design of Ru-based EWS catalysts.

Flexible regulation engineering of titanium nitride nanofibrous membranes for efficient electromagnetic microwave absorption in wide temperature spectrum

Simultaneous development of well impedance matching and strong loss capability has become a mainstream method for achieving outstanding electromagnetic microwave absorption(EMWA)performances over wide temperature range.However,it is difficult to pursue both due to the mutual restraint of relationship between impedance matching and loss capability about temperature.Here,we propose a flexible regulation engineering of titanium nitride(TiN)nanofibrous membranes(NMs,TNMs),which could be distributed uniformly in the polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS)matrix and contributed to the formation of abundant local conductive networks,generating the local conductive loss and enhancing the loss ability of EMWs.Moreover,when the TNMs are used as functional units and dispersed in the matrix,the corresponding composites exhibit an outstanding anti-reflection effect on microwaves.As hoped,under the precondition of good impedance matching,local conductive loss and polarization loss together improve the loss capacity at room temperature,and polarization loss can compensate the local conductive loss to acquire effective dielectric response at elevated temperature.Benefiting from the reasonably synergistic loss ability caused by flexible regulation engineering,the corresponding composites exhibit the perfect EMWA performances in a wide temperature range from 298 to 573 K.This work not only elaborates the ponderable insights of independent membrane in the composition-structure-function connection,but also provides a feasible tactic for resolving coexistence of well impedance matching and strong loss capability issues in wide temperature spectrum.

Advances in bio-inspired electrocatalysts for clean energy future

Electrocatalysis can enable efficient energy storage and conversion and thus is an effective way to achieve carbon neutrality.The unique structure and function of organisms can offer many ideas for the design of electrocatalysts,which has become one of the most promising research directions.Recently,the understanding of the mechanism of bio-inspired electrocatalysis has become clearer,which has promoted the design of bio-inspired catalysts and catalytic systems.Various bio-inspired catalysts(enzyme-like catalysts,layered porous catalysts,superhydrophobic/superhydrophilic surfaces,and so on)have been developed to enable efficient electrocatalytic reactions.Herein,we discuss the key advances in the field of bio-inspired electrocatalysts progressed in recent years.First,the role of bio-inspiration in increasing the intrinsic activity and number of active sites of catalysts is introduced.Then,the structure and mechanism of layered porous catalytic systems that mimic biological transport systems are comprehensively discussed.Subsequently,the design of three-phase interfaces from micro-nanoscale to atomic scale is highlighted,including the wettability of the electrode surface and the transport system near the electrode.We conclude the review by identifying challenges in bio-inspired electrocatalysts and providing insights into future prospects for the exciting research field.

How to select heterogeneous CO_(2)reduction electrocatalyst

As an important part of carbon neutralization,carbon dioxide electroreduction reaction(CO_(2)RR)can convert CO_(2)into high value-added chemicals and fuels to realize the recycling of carbon resources and solve the problem of environmental pollution.Therefore,exploring the element species and surface structure of the catalyst plays a central role in improving the performance of the catalyst,enhancing the CO_(2)conversion efficiency and forming C1 and C_(2+)products.Here,we summarize the recent progress in the selective regulation of CO_(2)RR reaction products by different elements.In particular,we emphasize the structure-property relationship of CO_(2)RR by the microenvironment of metal center and substrate,heteroatom doping,hydrogen bond network of metal-free polymer,and construction of heterogeneous catalytic system.At the same time,the recent advances for the identification of CO_(2)RR active sites and mechanistic studies on the process of reducing CO_(2)conversion to different products are reviewed,as well as a comprehensive review to the final products.Finally,we outline the inevitable challenges faced by CO_(2)RR and present our own recommendations aimed at contributing to CO_(2)resource utilization.

Biomimetic chitin hydrogel via chemical transformation

Chitin hydrogel has been recognized as a promising material for various biomedical applications because of its biocompatibility and biodegradability.However,the fabrication of strong chitin hydrogel remains a big challenge because of the insolubility of chitin in many solvents and the reduced chain length of chitin regenerated from solutions.We herein introduce the fabrication of chitin hydrogel with biomimetic structure through the chemical transformation of chitosan,which is a water-soluble deacetylated derivative of chitin.The reacetylation of the amino group in chitosan endows the obtained chitin hydrogel with outstanding resistance to swelling,degradation,extreme temperature and pH conditions,and organic solvents.The chitin hydrogel has excellent mechanical properties while retaining a high water content(more than 95 wt.%).It also shows excellent antifouling performance that it resists the adhesion of proteins,bacteria,blood,and cells.Moreover,as the initial chitosan solution can be feasibly frozen and templated by ice crystals,the chitin hydrogel structure can be either nacre-like or wood-like depending on the freezing method of the precursory chitosan solution.Owing to these anisotropic structures,such chitin hydrogel can exhibit anisotropic mechanics and mass transfer capabilities.The current work provides a rational strategy to fabricate chitin hydrogels and paves the way for its practical applications as a superior biomedical material.

Progress and prospect of Pt-based catalysts for electrocatalytic hydrogen oxidation reactions

To achieve the goals of the peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutral,the development and utilization of sustainable clean energy are extremely important.Hydrogen fuel cells are an important system for converting hydrogen energy into electrical energy.However,the slow hydrogen oxidation reaction(HOR)kinetics under alkaline conditions has limited its development.Therefore,elucidating the catalytic mechanism of HOR in acidic and alkaline media is of great significance for the construction of highly active and stable catalysts.In terms of practicality,Pt is still the primary choice for commercialization of fuel cells.On the above basis,we first introduced the hydrogen binding energy theory and bifunctional theory used to describe the HOR activity,as well as the pH dependence.After that,the rational design strategies of Pt-based HOR catalysts were systematically classified and summarized from the perspective of activity descriptors.In addition,we further emphasized the importance of theoretical simulations and in situ characterization in revealing the HOR mechanism,which is crucial for the rational design of catalysts.Moreover,the practical application of Pt-based HOR catalysts in fuel cells was also presented.In closing,the current challenges and future development directions of HOR catalysts were discussed.This review will provide a deep understanding for exploring the mechanism of highly efficient HOR catalysts and the development of fuel cells.

Liquid-like polymer lubricating surfaces:Mechanism and applications

Liquid-like polymer lubricating surfaces(LPLSs)are solid substrates with highly flexible polymer chains grafted via covalent bonds.This unique modification enables ultralow contact-angle hysteresis,repellency of various liquids and bulk ice,and stability.The distinctive wettability and universality of LPLSs have potential applications in liquid motion,biological detection,and environmental protection.In this review,we summarize the mechanisms,preparation,and applications of LPLSs.We discuss the wettability and lubrication mechanisms of liquid droplets on LPLSs.We then categorize LPLS fabrication into“grafted onto”and“grafted from”groups,depending on the type of polymer.We highlight representative applications with recent developments in anti-complex liquid,anti-icing,anti-biological adhesions,biosensing,and photocatalytic activity.Finally,we discuss future challenges and outlooks for LPLSs.

Synthetic brochosomes:Design,synthesis,and applications

Brochosomes,which are nanoscopic buckyball-shaped granules produced by leafhoppers,are one of the most intricate structures discovered in nature.Various functions of brochosomes have been proposed but only a few have been experimentally validated due to the challenge of fabricating their synthetic counterparts.Advancements in micro-and nanofabrication have recently led to the emergence of synthetic brochosomes,opening up new possibilities for innovative applications.This review explores the early discovery of natural brochosomes and their geometrical features,followed by the recent progress in fabricating synthetic brochosomes and their applications.Perspectives on future applications and challenges in the scalable manufacturing of synthetic brochosomes are discussed.

Wear-resistant Ag-MAX phase 3D interpenetrating-phase composites:Processing,structure,and properties

Electrical contact materials are generally Ag-or Cu-based composites and play a critical role in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of electrical equipments and electronic instruments.The MAX(M is an early transition metal,A is an element from III or IV main groups,and X is carbon or/and nitrogen)phase ceramics display a unique combination of properties and may serve as an ideal reinforcement phase for electrical contact materials.The biological materials evolved in nature generally exhibit three-dimensional(3D)interpenetrating-phase architectures,which may offer useful inspiration for the architectural design of electrical contact materials.Here,a series of bi-continuous Ag-Ti_(3)SiC_(2) MAX phase composites with high ceramic contents exceeding 50 vol.%and having micron-and ultrafine-scaled 3D interpenetrating-phase architectures,wherein both constituents were continuous and mutually interspersed,were exploited by pressureless infiltration of Ag melt into partially sintered Ti_(3)SiC_(2) scaffolds.The mechanical and electrical properties as well as the friction and wear performance of the composites were investigated and revealed to be closely dependent on the ceramic contents and characteristic structural dimensions.The composites exhibited a good combination of properties with high hardness over 2.3 GPa,high flexural strength exceeding 530 MPa,decent fracture toughness over 10 MPa·m^(1/2),and good wear resistance with low wear rate at an order of 10^(-5)mm^(3)/(N·m),which were much superior compared to the counterparts made by powder metallurgy methods.In particular,the hardness,electrical conductivity,strength,and fracture toughness of the composites demonstrated a simultaneous improvement as the structure was refined from micron-to ultrafine-scales at equivalent ceramic contents.The good combination of properties along with the facile processing route makes the Ag-Ti_(3)SiC_(2)3D interpenetrating-phase composites appealing for electrical contact applications.

Intelligent structured nanocomposite adhesive for bioelectronics and soft robots

The remarkable functionality of biological systems in detecting and adapting to various environmental conditions has inspired the design of the latest electronics and robots with advanced features.This review focuses on intelligent bio-inspired strategies for developing soft bioelectronics and robotics that can accommodate nanocomposite adhesives and integrate them into biological surfaces.The underlying principles of the material and structural design of nanocomposite adhesives were investigated for practical applications with excellent functionalities,such as soft skin-attachable health care sensors,highly stretchable adhesive electrodes,switchable adhesion,and untethered soft robotics.In addition,we have discussed recent progress in the development of effective fabrication methods for micro/nanostructures for integration into devices,presenting the current challenges and prospects.

Fluorophosphates and fluorosulfates cathode materials: Progress towards high energy density sodium-ion battery

The rapid diffusion of renewable energy boosts the wide deployment of large-scale energy storage system.With the low cost and high crustal abundance,sodium-ion battery(SIB)technology is expected to become a dominant technology in that area in the future.Toward the practical application,novel cathode materials are urged to develop that show high energy density without sacrificing their cost and benignity to the environment.While the years of many studies,this still remains a huge challenge to battery scientists.In this review,we discuss recent breakthroughs in SIB cathode materials with high energy density,namely fluorphosphates and fluorosulfates.The design of materials,the crystal structure,the electrochemical performance,and the underlaying intercalation mechanism are systematically reviewed.Useful strategies and research directions are also provided to advance future high-energy,low-cost,and ecofriendly cathode materials for next generation SIB.

Bioinspired nanomaterials for the treatment of bacterial infections

Infectious diseases pose a serious threat to global health.Although immunizations can control most viral infections,bacterial infections,particularly those caused by drug-resistant strains,continue to cause high rates of illness and death.Unfortunately,the creation of new antibiotics has come to a grinding halt in the last ten years.In response to this crisis,nanotechnology has emerged as a hopeful solution to tackle drug resistance and enhance treatment results.A large variety of biomimetic nanomaterials,termed nanozymes,have demonstrated strong antimicrobial efficacy.While the inherent toxicity of nanomaterials is a concern,recent studies have harnessed the stimuli-responsiveness of nanomaterials to enable local and/or targeted delivery to reduce the treatment side effects.Indeed,the physicochemical versatility of nanomaterials affords many degrees of freedom that enable rational design of smart or autonomous therapeutics,which cannot be achieved using conventional antibiotics.The design straddles the fields of catalysis,nanoscience,microbiology,and translational medicine.To provide an overview of this interdisciplinary landscape,this review is organized based on composition into lipid,metal,metal oxide,and non-metallic nanomaterials.Liposomes as a delivery vehicle enhance bioavailability and reduce toxicity.Metal-and metal oxide-based nanomaterials inhibit bacterial growth by mimicking natural enzymatic activities such as peroxidase(POD)and oxidase.Furthermore,carbon-,polymer-,and cell membrane-based nanomaterials are combined into a discussion on non-metallic materials.At the end of this review,potentially fruitful directions for future bioinspired nanomaterials in infectious disease treatment are included.

Large-area ultrastrong and stiff aramid nanofiber based layered nanocomposite films

One-dimensional(1D)aramid nanofiber(ANF)based nanocomposite films have drawn increasing attentions in various applications due to their excellent mechanical properties and impressive chemical and thermal stabilities.However,the large-area fabrication of aramid nanocomposite films with ultrastrong mechanical properties under mild conditions remains a great challenge.Here we present a facile superspreading-assisted strategy to produce aramid nanofiber based oriented layered nanocomposites using phase inversion process that occurs at the fully swollen hydrogel surfaces.The nanocomposite films based on ANF,carboxylation carbon tube(CNT–COOH),poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA),and MXene nanosheet exhibit a tensile strength of up to 870.8±85 MPa,a Young’s modulus of 21.8±2.2 GPa,and outstanding toughness(up to 43.2±4.6 MJ/m^(3)),which are much better than those conventional aramid nanofiber based materials.Electrical conductivity of our nanocomposite films reaches the maximum of about 1100 S/m.The fabulous mechanical properties combination and continuous production capability render our strategy representing a promising direction for the development of high-performance nanocomposites.

Bioinspired nanotransducers for neuromodulation

The field of neuromodulation has experienced significant advancements in the past decade,owing to breakthroughs in disciplines such as materials science,genetics,bioengineering,photonics,and beyond.The convergence of these fields has resulted in the development of nanotransducers,devices that harness the synergies of these diverse disciplines.These nanotransducers,essential for neuromodulation,often draw inspiration from energy conversion processes found in nature for their unique modalities.In this review,we will delve into the latest advancements in wireless neuromodulation facilitated by optical,magnetic,and mechanical nanotransducers.We will examine their working principles,properties,advantages,and limitations in comparison to current methods for deep brain neuromodulation,highlighting the impact of natural systems on their design and functionality.Additionally,we will underscore potential future directions,emphasizing how continued progress in materials science,neuroscience,and bioengineering might expand the horizons of what is achievable with nanotransducer-enabled neuromodulation.

Organic thin-film transistors and related devices in life and health monitoring

The early determination of disease-related biomarkers can significantly improve the survival rate of patients.Thus,a series of explorations for new diagnosis technologies,such as optical and electrochemical methods,have been devoted to life and health monitoring.Organic thin-film transistor(OTFT),as a state-of-the-art nano-sensing technology,has attracted significant attention from construction to application owing to the merits of being label-free,low-cost,facial,and rapid detection with multi-parameter responses.Nevertheless,interference from non-specific adsorption is inevitable in complex biological samples such as body liquid and exhaled gas,so the reliability and accuracy of the biosensor need to be further improved while ensuring sensitivity,selectivity,and stability.Herein,we overviewed the composition,mechanism,and construction strategies of OTFTs for the practical determination of disease-related biomarkers in both body fluids and exhaled gas.The results show that the realization of bio-inspired applications will come true with the rapid development of high-effective OTFTs and related devices.

Polydopamine-coated photoautotrophic bacteria for improving extracellular electron transfer in living photovoltaics

Living photovoltaics are microbial electrochemical devices that use whole cell–electrode interactions to convert solar energy to electricity.The bottleneck in these technologies is the limited electron transfer between the microbe and the electrode surface.This study focuses on enhancing this transfer by engineering a polydopamine(PDA)coating on the outer membrane of the photosynthetic microbe Synechocystis sp.PCC6803.This coating provides a conductive nanoparticle shell to increase electrode adhesion and improve microbial charge extraction.A combination of scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),UV–Vis absorption,and Raman spectroscopy measurements were used to characterize the nanoparticle shell under various synthesis conditions.The cell viability and activity were further assessed through oxygen evolution,growth curve,and confocal fluorescence microscopy measurements.The results show sustained cell growth and detectable PDA surface coverage under slightly alkaline conditions(pH 7.5)and at low initial dopamine(DA)concentrations(1 mM).The exoelectrogenicity of the cells prepared under these conditions was also characterized through cyclic voltammetry(CV)and chronoamperometry(CA).The measurements show a three-fold enhancement in the photocurrent at an applied bias of 0.3 V(vs.Ag/AgCl[3 M KCl])compared to non-coated cells.This study thus lays the framework for engineering the next generation of living photovoltaics with improved performances using biosynthetic electrodes.

Exploiting sound for emerging applications of extracellular vesicles

Extracellular vesicles are nano-to micro-scale,membrane-bound particles released by cells into extracellular space,and act as carriers of biomarkers and therapeutics,holding promising potential in translational medicine.However,the challenges remain in handling and detecting extracellular vesicles for disease diagnosis as well as exploring their therapeutic capability for disease treatment.Here,we review the recent engineering and technology advances by leveraging the power of sound waves to address the challenges in diagnostic and therapeutic applications of extracellular vesicles and biomimetic nanovesicles.We first introduce the fundamental principles of sound waves for understanding different acoustic-assisted extracellular vesicle technologies.We discuss the acoustic-assisted diagnostic methods including the purification,manipulation,biosensing,and bioimaging of extracellular vesicles.Then,we summarize the recent advances in acoustically enhanced therapeutics using extracellular vesicles and biomimetic nanovesicles.Finally,we provide perspectives into current challenges and future clinical applications of the promising extracellular vesicles and biomimetic nanovesicles powered by sound.