Yanting Li, Bin Zhang, Moyuan Cao, Xu Liang, Kar Ban Tan, Shaojie Zhang, Yidian Dong, Yujie Wang, Yiming Zhang, Haochen Gong, Hui Rong, Anjie Dong, Xinpeng Han, Fengmin Jin, Jie Sun
{"title":"Tailoring a multifunctional polyglutamic acid-tragacanth gum binder for enhancing the lithium storage performance of red phosphorus anodes.","authors":"Yanting Li, Bin Zhang, Moyuan Cao, Xu Liang, Kar Ban Tan, Shaojie Zhang, Yidian Dong, Yujie Wang, Yiming Zhang, Haochen Gong, Hui Rong, Anjie Dong, Xinpeng Han, Fengmin Jin, Jie Sun","doi":"10.1039/d4mh01615g","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4mh01615g","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Red phosphorus, with its high theoretical specific capacity and safe lithiation potential, is a promising anode for lithium-ion batteries. However, challenges such as significant volume expansion, dissolution of lithium polyphosphides (Li<sub><i>x</i></sub>pPs), and low electronic conductivity hinder its practical application. In this study, we propose a multifunctional hydrogen-bond enhanced cross-linked binder, polyglutamic acid-tragacanth gum (PGA-TG). The PGA-TG binder not only exhibits strong mechanical properties to inhibit the volume expansion of phosphorus particles but also demonstrates a high affinity for phosphorus, thereby facilitating the capture of soluble Li<sub><i>x</i></sub>pPs and enhancing the long-cycle performance. Therefore, the PGA-TG-based electrode achieves a lower volume expansion of 19.4% compared with the PVDF-based electrode (233%). Additionally, the PGA-TG-based electrode delivers high reversible capacity of 1575.91 mA h g<sup>-1</sup> after 150 cycles at 260 mA g<sup>-1</sup> and 1442 mA h g<sup>-1</sup> after 280 cycles at 1 A g<sup>-1</sup>. This work presents a facile and effective binder design strategy to address the multiple challenges associated with phosphorus anodes in lithium-ion batteries.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143381270","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}
{"title":"Differentiating the origins of local charge transfer in oxides and hybrid halides by accumulating charge.","authors":"Chenxi Wang, Panithan Sriboriboon, Owoong Kwon, Seo-Ryeong Lee, Myeong Seop Song, Jin-Wook Lee, Seung Chul Chae, Yunseok Kim","doi":"10.1039/d4mh01601g","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4mh01601g","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Unveiling the origin of local charge transfer is crucial for advancing electronic devices such as ferroelectric and memristive memories and perovskite solar cells. Exploring charge transfer mechanisms requires sensitive probing of local charge transfer, as electric charges in many materials arise from multiple mechanisms. However, the limited sensitivity of current techniques makes it challenging to unveil the origins of such nanoscale charge behavior. To address this challenge, we propose highly sensitive accumulative charge transfer spectroscopy (ACTS) for probing dynamic charge behaviors at the nanoscale in oxides and hybrid halides, including Pb(Zr<sub>0.2</sub>Ti<sub>0.8</sub>)O<sub>3</sub>, Hf<sub>0.5</sub>Zr<sub>0.5</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, TiO<sub>2</sub> and FAPbI<sub>3</sub>. In ferroelectrics, clear polarization switching charges were detected through accumulative charges generated from a series of relatively low-voltage waveforms, achieving a high sensitivity of 6.66 MV m<sup>-1</sup>. In contrast, distinctive charge behaviors, potentially associated with oxygen vacancy migration and trap states, respectively, were identified in memristive and hybrid halides. This work demonstrates the potential of ACTS for direct, localized discrimination of charge transfer behaviors at the nanoscale.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143381251","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}
Shuai-Qi Guo, Lei He, Dan-Xuan Fang, Ya-Nan Wu, Fu-Rong Zeng, Ming-Jun Chen, Hai-Bo Zhao, Yu-Zhong Wang
{"title":"Respirator-inspired shielding and catalytic oxidation strategies for smoke-suppression polymers, enhancing fire safety.","authors":"Shuai-Qi Guo, Lei He, Dan-Xuan Fang, Ya-Nan Wu, Fu-Rong Zeng, Ming-Jun Chen, Hai-Bo Zhao, Yu-Zhong Wang","doi":"10.1039/d4mh01820f","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4mh01820f","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Polymeric materials pose potential fire hazards to both humans and property because of their intrinsic flammability and the toxic smoke generated by them upon burning. Lowering the risk by relying on traditional firefighting approaches is not timely and sufficient. Herein, analogous to wearing intelligent and responsive respirators, we introduced a universal smoke-suppression and flame-retardant strategy for flammable materials by forming a shield for protection and catalytic oxidation of smoke. Incorporating ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tripotassium salt dihydrate (EDTA-K<sub>3</sub>·2H<sub>2</sub>O) into FPUF promotes rearrangement and cross-linking into char in the condensed phase during fire exposure. Additionally, the resulting alkali metal species act as active catalysts to further oxidize smoke, enhancing fire safety performance. Taking flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF) as an example, even in the absence of traditional flame-retardant elements, this foam demonstrates a significant reduction in specific smoke density (-54%) and total smoke release (-45%) for flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF), a high limiting oxygen index of 26.1%, rapid self-extinguishing performance, and robust overall mechanical properties. Moreover, this work offers exceptional fire protection for epoxy resin and waterborne polyurethane as well. Our work provides a facile strategy inspired by the protection of a respirator for high-performance firefighting.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143381266","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}
Kangwei Song, Yu Shen, Tongmin Xu, Yushuang Lin, Zheming Chen, Weicheng Zhang, Congyu He, Zhenzhong Yang, Ke Qu, Zheyuan Liu, Yan Yu, Chengkai Yang
{"title":"Suppressing intergranular cracking with near-surface layer regulation for electrochemical-thermal stabilization of LiCoO<sub>2</sub>.","authors":"Kangwei Song, Yu Shen, Tongmin Xu, Yushuang Lin, Zheming Chen, Weicheng Zhang, Congyu He, Zhenzhong Yang, Ke Qu, Zheyuan Liu, Yan Yu, Chengkai Yang","doi":"10.1039/d4mh01710b","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4mh01710b","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To further meet the application needs of lithium-ion batteries, developing cathodes with higher voltage and higher operating temperatures has become a primary goal. However, LiCoO<sub>2</sub> cathodes encounter structural issues, particle fracture, and side reactions during high-voltage and high-temperature cycling. Thus, this work designs a novel interface engineering approach involving near-surface Li layer regulation and enhances the stability of the <i>R</i>3̄<i>m</i> layered structure, suppressing intergranular cracking. An undistorted surface with reduced phase transitions was revealed by the HAADF-STEM. The interface regulation by post-cycle simulations and XRD stabilizes interplanar spacing. The strong B-O bonds lower the O 2p energies, preventing oxygen loss and side reactions confirmed by XPS and band structure. Therefore, even under 50 °C, the half-cell maintains a capacity retention rate of 79% after 200 cycles at 5C at 4.5 V.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143363161","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}
{"title":"Applications, performance enhancement strategies and prospects of Ni<sub><i>x</i></sub>P<sub><i>y</i></sub> in electrocatalysis.","authors":"Chenjing Wang, Yuquan Yang, Yanru Yuan, Qian Lv, Li Zhou, Lulu Wang, Xiaoyue Zheng, Jiajia Liu, Hongjing Wu, Dawei Pang, Jinlong Zheng","doi":"10.1039/d4mh01483a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4mh01483a","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Developing low-cost and high-efficiency electrocatalysts is the key to making energy-related electrocatalytic technologies commercially feasible. In recent years, nickel phosphide (Ni<sub><i>x</i></sub>P<sub><i>y</i></sub>) electrocatalysts have received extensive attention due to their multiple active sites, adjustable structure and composition, and unique physicochemical properties. In this review, the latest progress of Ni<sub><i>x</i></sub>P<sub><i>y</i></sub> in the field of electrocatalysis is reviewed from the aspects of the properties of Ni<sub><i>x</i></sub>P<sub><i>y</i></sub>, different synthesis methods, and ingenious modulation strategies. The significant enhancement effects of elemental doping, vacancy defect, interfacial engineering, synergistic effect, and the external magnetic field excitation-enhanced strategy on the electrocatalytic performance of Ni<sub><i>x</i></sub>P<sub><i>y</i></sub> are emphasized, Moreover, a forward-looking outlook for its future development direction is provided. Finally, some basic problems and research directions of Ni<sub><i>x</i></sub>P<sub><i>y</i></sub> in high-efficiency energy electrocatalysis are presented.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143363158","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}
{"title":"<i>In situ</i> formation of NaTi<sub>2</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub> coating layers to enhance the high-temperature performance of NaNi<sub>1/3</sub>Fe<sub>1/3</sub>Mn<sub>1/3</sub>O<sub>2</sub> cathode materials.","authors":"Wu Meng, Huajun Guo, Zhixing Wang, Guangchao Li, Bichao Wu, Jiexi Wang, Wenjie Peng, Xinhai Li, Hui Duan, Guochun Yan","doi":"10.1039/d4mh01766h","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4mh01766h","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The insufficient structure and interfacial stability of O3-type layered oxide cathode materials hinder their practical application in sodium-ion batteries, particularly at high temperatures. In this study, a thin, island-like NaTi<sub>2</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub> coating layer (∼15 nm) is constructed on the surface of NaNi<sub>1/3</sub>Fe<sub>1/3</sub>Mn<sub>1/3</sub>O<sub>2</sub> through an <i>in situ</i> reaction involving nano-TiO<sub>2</sub>, Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> and NH<sub>4</sub>H<sub>2</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>. During the high-temperature calcination process, partial Ti-atom diffusion into the NaNi<sub>1/3</sub>Fe<sub>1/3</sub>Mn<sub>1/3</sub>O<sub>2</sub> lattice results in the expansion of the interslab of the sodium layer and a reduction in lattice oxygen vacancies. Benefitting from the stable NaTi<sub>2</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub>-modified interface and enhanced structural stability, the NaNi<sub>1/3</sub>Fe<sub>1/3</sub>Mn<sub>1/3</sub>O<sub>2</sub> coated with 2 wt% NaTi<sub>2</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub> exhibits optimal cycle stability at high temperature. It retains 90.3% of its initial capacity after 100 cycles at 0.5C (1C = 130 mA g<sup>-1</sup>, 45 °C). This dual-modification strategy, obtained from a facile approach, has the potential to facilitate the practical application of O3-type layered oxide cathode materials.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143363155","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}
Yitong Ding, Gang Li, Keunhyuk Ryu, JianGuo Guan, Shancheng Wang, Ying Xiong, Shaoyun Guo, Yi Long
{"title":"Multi-functional smart bulk hydrogel panels with strong near-infrared shielding and active local control.","authors":"Yitong Ding, Gang Li, Keunhyuk Ryu, JianGuo Guan, Shancheng Wang, Ying Xiong, Shaoyun Guo, Yi Long","doi":"10.1039/d4mh01648c","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4mh01648c","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Thermochromic hydrogel is a versatile smart material that can be used in various applications. In this paper, we present a new concept of smart windows to passively regulate light transmittance and reduce energy consumption while functioning as an information display. By incorporating passive solar regulation and active local control, this window is devised through the multilayer assembly of tailored poly(<i>N</i>-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogels and surface-modified photonic crystal films. The modified surface tension of solvent tunes the scattering center size of the hydrogel, and the addition of the photothermal films (PT films) imparts a high near-infrared (NIR) shielding and light-to-heat conversion, which is needed for low-latitude smart window application. Together with high writing speed, clarity, and repeatability for local writing. This new smart hydrogel engineering can have broad applications, allowing more functionalities in designing building façades.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143254397","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}
Peng Chen, Bihua Zhang, Enhui He, Yu Xiao, Fenghao Liu, Peng Lin, Zhongrui Wang, Gang Pan
{"title":"Towards scalable memristive hardware for spiking neural networks.","authors":"Peng Chen, Bihua Zhang, Enhui He, Yu Xiao, Fenghao Liu, Peng Lin, Zhongrui Wang, Gang Pan","doi":"10.1039/d4mh01676a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4mh01676a","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Spiking neural networks (SNNs) represent a promising frontier in artificial intelligence (AI), offering event-driven, energy-efficient computation that mimics rich neural dynamics in the brain. However, running large-scale SNNs on mainstream computing hardware faces significant challenges to efficiently emulate these dynamical processes using synchronized and logical chips. Memristor based systems have recently demonstrated great potential for AI acceleration, sparking speculations and explorations of using these emerging devices for SNN tasks. This paper reviews the promises and challenges of memristive devices in SNN implementations, and our discussions are focused on the scaling and integration of neuronal and synaptic devices. We survey recent progress in device and circuit development, discuss possible pathways for chip-level integration, and finally probe into hardware-oriented algorithm designs. This review offers a system-level perspective on implementing scalable memristor based SNN platforms.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143254398","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}
{"title":"A strategy for increasing the breakdown field strength beyond the experimental scaling law in yttria films.","authors":"Tomohiko Nakajima, Yuuki Kitanaka, Iwao Yamaguchi, Kazuhiro Kumagai, Junichi Nomoto, Masayuki Fukuda, Ryohei Hokari","doi":"10.1039/d4mh01524j","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4mh01524j","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Aiming to increase the dielectric breakdown field strength (<i>E</i><sub>bf</sub>) of yttria films for application in semiconductor manufacturing, a synthetic strategy based on photo-assisted chemical solution deposition was developed to prepare yttria films with aggregates of very small nanocrystallites. Despite containing many elliptical pores, the films exhibited an <i>E</i><sub>bf</sub> exceeding 12.7 MV cm<sup>-1</sup>, much higher than that predicted according to conventional experimental scaling laws. The combination of nanocrystallite agglomerates and elliptical pores, generally seen as defects, provides a new strategy for increasing the <i>E</i><sub>bf</sub>.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143121904","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}
Jie Wang, Chao Yang, Dongqing Qi, Ning Lu, Chuanhui Chen, Gang Tian, Hong Fang, Kepeng Song, Weiming Lv, Limei Zheng
{"title":"Polar topology in self-assembled PbTiO<sub>3</sub> ferroelectric nano-islands.","authors":"Jie Wang, Chao Yang, Dongqing Qi, Ning Lu, Chuanhui Chen, Gang Tian, Hong Fang, Kepeng Song, Weiming Lv, Limei Zheng","doi":"10.1039/d4mh01728e","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4mh01728e","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The topological domains in ferroelectrics have garnered significant attention for their potential applications in nanoelectronics. However, current research is predominantly limited to rhombohedral BiFeO<sub>3</sub> materials. To validate the universality of topological domains in non-rhombohedral ferroelectrics, it is crucial to explore the existence and characteristics of topological states in alternative material systems. In this work we successfully construct topological polar structures in PbTiO<sub>3</sub> nano-islands with a tetragonal structure. Furthermore, the topological structures can be well manipulated by electric field and mechanical stress, making them switchable between center-divergent structure and center-converging types. Phase-field simulations revealed that the aggregation and redistribution of free charges play a decisive role in the formation and manipulation of topological states. These findings not only verify the feasibility of constructing topological domains in universal ferroelectrics, but also validate the multiple manipulability of these topological domains, displaying their significant potential in high-density nonvolatile memory devices.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143121914","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}