Tianheng Du (, ), Sijie Chen (, ), Xianzhe Zhao (, ), Xueheng Liu (, ), Lifang Zhang (, ), Xi Zhou (, ), Linbo Li (, ), Tongfei Li (, ), Tao Qian (, )
{"title":"Charge-polarized lanthanide coordination strategy enables activity-stability synergy in rare earth-tailored metallene electrocatalysts","authors":"Tianheng Du \u0000 (, ), Sijie Chen \u0000 (, ), Xianzhe Zhao \u0000 (, ), Xueheng Liu \u0000 (, ), Lifang Zhang \u0000 (, ), Xi Zhou \u0000 (, ), Linbo Li \u0000 (, ), Tongfei Li \u0000 (, ), Tao Qian \u0000 (, )","doi":"10.1007/s40843-025-3626-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40843-025-3626-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The development of durable electrocatalysts overcoming activity-stability compromises remains pivotal for advancing anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). Herein, we engineer a rare earth-incorporated Pd-based metallene (PdLaCe) through lanthanide-based bimetallic coordination, resolving critical limitations in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysis. Combined experimental characterization and theoretical simulations reveal that La/Ce dual-doping induces charge polarization to generate Pd<sup><i>δ</i>−</sup>-La/Ce<sup><i>δ</i>+</sup> active sites, synergistically optimizing the electronic structure via d-band center downshifting. This configuration weakens oxygen intermediate adsorption while enhancing structural integrity across thermal cycles. The optimized PdLaCe metallene delivers exceptional ORR performance, achieving a record half-wave potential of 0.903 V (vs. RHE) with negligible degradation (<6%) after 20,000 cycles, far surpassing commercial Pt/C benchmarks. Integrated into AEMFCs, it demonstrates a peak power density of 82.8 mW cm<sup>−2</sup> alongside unprecedented stability (0.8 V for 22 h). Fundamental insights into lanthanide-induced charge redistribution establish a universal paradigm for designing robust multimetallic electrocatalysts via rare earth coordination engineering, bridging critical gaps between functional optimization and industrial-scale fuel cell applications. This work provides transformative strategies for next-generation energy conversion systems requiring high efficiency and ultra-stability.</p><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":773,"journal":{"name":"Science China Materials","volume":"68 10","pages":"3607 - 3617"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145248263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zhiqing Wang (, ), Keqiang Chen (, ), Qiao Wang (, ), Jing Yang (, ), Zhi Qin (, ), Yang Hu (, ), Jie Shen (, ), Pengchao Zhang (, ), Jing Zhou (, ), Wen Chen (, )
{"title":"Machine learning and high-throughput computation-assisted precise synthesis of quantum dots for reliable neuromorphic computing","authors":"Zhiqing Wang \u0000 (, ), Keqiang Chen \u0000 (, ), Qiao Wang \u0000 (, ), Jing Yang \u0000 (, ), Zhi Qin \u0000 (, ), Yang Hu \u0000 (, ), Jie Shen \u0000 (, ), Pengchao Zhang \u0000 (, ), Jing Zhou \u0000 (, ), Wen Chen \u0000 (, )","doi":"10.1007/s40843-025-3507-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40843-025-3507-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Quantum dot (QD)-based memristors enable precise and energy-efficient neuromorphic computing through atomic-level control over electrical synapse performance. However, the stochastic nature of QD structures results in the poor reliability of resistive switching in neuromorphic computing, limiting its practical applications. Here, we present a data-driven QD synthesis optimization loop to precisely engineer QD structures for reliable neuromorphic computing. By deeply integrating high-throughput density functional theory with machine learning, we establish a cross-scale screening platform for precise synthesis of QDs, enabling multi-dimension predictions from atomic-level structures to macroscopic electrical synaptic behaviors. Through the minimization of structural disorder, achieved by pure phase, uniform size distribution, and highly preferred orientation, QD-based memristors demonstrate a 57% reduction in switching voltage, a two-order-of-magnitude increase in the ON/OFF ratio, and endurance and retention degradation as low as 0.1% over 8.4 × 10<sup>7</sup> s of continuous operation and 10<sup>5</sup> rapid read cycles. Furthermore, the dynamic learning range and neuromorphic computing accuracy are improved by 477% and 27.8% (reaching 92.23%), respectively. These findings establish a scalable, data-driven strategy for rational design of QD-based memristors, advancing the development of next-generation reliable neuromorphic computing systems.</p><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":773,"journal":{"name":"Science China Materials","volume":"68 10","pages":"3778 - 3788"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145248364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shunjie Yu (, ), Xiaohu Hou (, ), Yan Liu (, ), Xiaolong Zhao (, ), Shibing Long (, )
{"title":"High-performance β-Ga2O3 solar-blind UV/X-ray photodetector enhanced by oxygen vacancy modulation","authors":"Shunjie Yu \u0000 (, ), Xiaohu Hou \u0000 (, ), Yan Liu \u0000 (, ), Xiaolong Zhao \u0000 (, ), Shibing Long \u0000 (, )","doi":"10.1007/s40843-025-3495-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40843-025-3495-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>High-performance solar-blind ultraviolet (SBUV) and X-ray detectors are essential for scientific research, medical diagnostics, and astronomical imaging. Ga<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> has emerged as a promising material for detection in this spectral range. However, the distinct mechanisms underlying SBUV and X-ray detection in Ga<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> remain poorly understood, hindering the optimization of device performance. This study introduces oxygen vacancy modulation to explore these mechanistic differences and enhance comprehensive detection capabilities of Ga<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> detectors. Highly crystalline β-Ga<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> films with different oxygen contents were prepared by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition at various oxygen and trimethylgallium (TEGa) precursor ratios (<i>F</i><sub>oxy</sub>/<i>F</i><sub>TEGa</sub>), and corresponding detectors were then fabricated. As the <i>F</i><sub>oxy</sub>/<i>F</i><sub>TEGa</sub> increases, β-Ga<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> crystal quality improves and oxygen vacancy content decreases. The device based on the film with the lowest oxygen vacancy content exhibits a remarkably low dark current of 30.9 fA. Under SBUV (254 nm), the device demonstrates the photo-to-dark current ratio of 8.7 × 10<sup>8</sup> and a responsivity of 237 A W<sup>−1</sup>. Notably, the detector achieves a sensitivity of 10,736 µC cm<sup>−2</sup> Gy<sub>air</sub><sup>−1</sup> under X-rays, which is 477 times higher than that of conventional a-Se detectors. Additionally, the study clarifies the differential roles of oxygen vacancies in the photoresponse under SBUV and X-ray irradiation, offering insights into how these differences affect both responsivity and response speed. These findings not only deepen the understanding of the SBUV and X-ray photoresponse mechanisms in Ga<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> detectors, but also provide a stepping stone for the design of detectors with excellent comprehensive performance.</p><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":773,"journal":{"name":"Science China Materials","volume":"68 10","pages":"3695 - 3702"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145248178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yuyang Cai (, ), Hanwen Cheng (, ), Zhuo Chen (, ), Hantao Xu (, ), Shidong Li (, ), Jinghao Li (, ), Yibo Zhang (, ), Li Zhao (, ), Zhenzhen Dou (, ), Lin Xu (, )
{"title":"The interface interaction of sulfur-doped carbon boosting kinetics of Na4Fe3(PO4)2(P2O7) for high rate and stable sodium-ion batteries","authors":"Yuyang Cai \u0000 (, ), Hanwen Cheng \u0000 (, ), Zhuo Chen \u0000 (, ), Hantao Xu \u0000 (, ), Shidong Li \u0000 (, ), Jinghao Li \u0000 (, ), Yibo Zhang \u0000 (, ), Li Zhao \u0000 (, ), Zhenzhen Dou \u0000 (, ), Lin Xu \u0000 (, )","doi":"10.1007/s40843-025-3516-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40843-025-3516-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Iron-based mixed phosphates are considered as promising cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their low cost, non-toxicity, and high structural stability. However, their electrochemical performance is limited by poor electronic conductivity and sluggish ion diffusion. In this study, Na<sub>4</sub>Fe<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>(P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>7</sub>) with porous coral-like S-doped carbon (NFPP-U0.5%) is presented as cathode materials for SIBs. The porous coral-like structure of the S-doped carbon layer, along with the C–S–Fe interaction, significantly enhances both electronic conductivity and sodium ion diffusion. NFPP-U0.5% delivers excellent rate performance, achieving a capacity of 80.3 mAh g<sup>−1</sup> at 20 C. Moreover, the <i>in-situ</i> X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the C–S–Fe interaction, combined with the unique carbon structure, contributes to a small lattice volume change during cycling. NFPP-U0.5% finally reached an ultra-long cycling life (capacity retention of 82.66% after 25,000 cycles at 20 C). The outstanding electrochemical performances and the unique interface interaction demonstrate that the S-doped carbon coating NFPP is of high potential as a cathode material for low cost and long-lasting cyclability energy storage system.</p><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":773,"journal":{"name":"Science China Materials","volume":"68 10","pages":"3675 - 3684"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145248287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xinyi Zhao (, ), Xiangsheng Lin (, ), Zhao Yao (, ), Yuanyue Li (, ), Yang Li (, ), Ningji Gong (, )
{"title":"Plant growth monitoring, prediction, and self-regulation utilizing MXene/CNTs/TPU flexible strain sensors integrated with deep learning algorithms and soft actuators","authors":"Xinyi Zhao \u0000 (, ), Xiangsheng Lin \u0000 (, ), Zhao Yao \u0000 (, ), Yuanyue Li \u0000 (, ), Yang Li \u0000 (, ), Ningji Gong \u0000 (, )","doi":"10.1007/s40843-025-3502-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40843-025-3502-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Smart agriculture utilizes sensors and software to control agricultural production through mobile or computer platforms, enabling unmanned, automated, and intelligent management. Recently, research and development in plant growth monitoring technologies have garnered significant attention. The challenge lies in achieving long-term monitoring, phased predictions, and plant self-regulation without harming the plants. The present study demonstrates the fabrication of plant-compatible and breathable tensile and bending strain sensors using composite nanofiber membranes (CNMs) composed of Ti<sub>2</sub>C<sub>2</sub>T<sub><i>x</i></sub> (MXene), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) through electrospinning and ultrasonic immersion techniques. The MXene and CNTs synergistically form a dual-network conductive structure on the TPU nanofiber membrane, thereby imparting the composite membrane with remarkable tensile sensitivity (5.41, 7.39, and 3.39 within the ranges of 0%–20%, 20%–50%, and 50%–70%, respectively) as well as exceptional bending sensitivity (1.79, 0.89, and 0.46 within the ranges of 0°–30°, 30°–90°, and 90°–120°, respectively). The tensile strain sensor, combined with a deep learning Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model, establishes a platform for plant growth monitoring and prediction. The bending strain sensor, integrated with a shape memory alloy (SMA)-based soft actuator, forms a plant sensing-actuating system to assist in plant leaf growth. This work leverages MXene/CNTs/TPU CNMs to flexibly prepare strain sensors for specific applications, combining deep learning and soft actuators to achieve plant growth prediction and self-regulation. This research holds significant importance in advancing the development of smart agriculture.</p><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":773,"journal":{"name":"Science China Materials","volume":"68 10","pages":"3715 - 3727"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145248265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Songtao Zhang (, ), Yong Chen (, ), Tao Pan (, ), Ying Wei (, ), Yong Li (, ), Zixia Lin (, ), Yecan Pi (, ), Shuai Cao (, ), Yijian Tang (, ), Yongbin Hu (, ), Mingbo Zheng (, ), Huan Pang (, )
{"title":"Controlled self-template synthesis of CoNiFe-PBA hollow structure with enhanced electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction activity","authors":"Songtao Zhang \u0000 (, ), Yong Chen \u0000 (, ), Tao Pan \u0000 (, ), Ying Wei \u0000 (, ), Yong Li \u0000 (, ), Zixia Lin \u0000 (, ), Yecan Pi \u0000 (, ), Shuai Cao \u0000 (, ), Yijian Tang \u0000 (, ), Yongbin Hu \u0000 (, ), Mingbo Zheng \u0000 (, ), Huan Pang \u0000 (, )","doi":"10.1007/s40843-025-3492-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40843-025-3492-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The microstructure and composition of electrocatalysts play a crucial role in determining their oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. Herein, we report a controlled self-template synthesis of hollow CoNiFe Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) and their phosphide derivatives with enhanced OER activity. Cobalt-nickel basic acetates with tunable metal ratios were first synthesized via a solvothermal method, followed by anion exchange with potassium hexacyanoferrate to form CoNiFe-PBAs, and subsequent phosphorization to obtain hollow CoNiFe phosphides (CoNiFe-PBA-Ps). Among these, the Co<sub>3</sub>Ni<sub>1</sub>Fe composition exhibits an optimal combination of reduced particle size and hollow architecture, resulting in more exposed active sites and increased electrolyte accessibility. The final Co<sub>3</sub>Ni<sub>1</sub>Fe-PBA-P displays a low overpotential of 273 mV at 10 mA cm<sup>−2</sup> and a Tafel slope of 59 mV dec<sup>−1</sup>, outperforming other Co<sub><i>x</i></sub>Ni<sub><i>y</i></sub>Fe-PBA-Ps and many reported Co, Ni, Fe-based electrocatalysts. DFT calculations confirm that the improved activity stems from the lower energy barriers of the key OER intermediates. This work provides a versatile strategy to design multi-metallic hollow nanostructures with small particle size, offering new insights into the development of high-performance electrocatalysts.</p><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":773,"journal":{"name":"Science China Materials","volume":"68 10","pages":"3667 - 3674"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145248177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jiabei Tian (, ), Siguang Guo (, ), Biao Gao (, ), Min Liu (, ), Yi Zhou (, ), Jianwei Ren (, ), Mehran Javanbakht, Hamid Omidvar, Zhuo Li (, ), Hao Song (, ), Kaifu Huo (, )
{"title":"Defect-free Bi-Sn@C composites with high capacity and long cycle life for superior sodium storage","authors":"Jiabei Tian \u0000 (, ), Siguang Guo \u0000 (, ), Biao Gao \u0000 (, ), Min Liu \u0000 (, ), Yi Zhou \u0000 (, ), Jianwei Ren \u0000 (, ), Mehran Javanbakht, Hamid Omidvar, Zhuo Li \u0000 (, ), Hao Song \u0000 (, ), Kaifu Huo \u0000 (, )","doi":"10.1007/s40843-025-3491-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40843-025-3491-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Binary alloys have garnered significant attention for the development of the sodium-ion battery due to their ability to combine the advantages of single-phase alloys. However, these materials often demonstrate limited electrochemical performance, and the relationship between their crystallization states and their sodium storage properties remains poorly understood. Here, we synthesize Bi-Sn binary alloys with various compositions via phase-separation metallurgy to explore the sodium storage properties of different crystalline structures. The results indicate that hypo- and hyper-eutectic Bi-Sn alloys readily form a “dendritic” primary phase at the non-eutectic interface, which aggravates structural degradation and increases internal resistance. In contrast, Bi-Sn alloys with optimized eutectic interfaces effectively control dendritic growth and reduce defects, resulting in enhanced microstructural stability and superior electrochemical performance. As results, the eutectic p-Bi<sub>57</sub>Sn<sub>43</sub>@C anode achieves a record-high specific capacity of 470.3 mAh g<sup>−1</sup> at 1 C and exhibits remarkable long-term cycling stability, retaining 95.2% of its capacity after 1000 cycles at 20 C. The defect-free eutectic concept presented here establishes a valuable foundation for future studies of binary and polycrystalline eutectic alloys in electrochemical applications.</p><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":773,"journal":{"name":"Science China Materials","volume":"68 10","pages":"3646 - 3656"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145248176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}