Materials Horizons最新文献

{"title":"Unlocking photo-assisted rechargeable iron-ion batteries <i>via</i> dual-functional nanostructured VO₂ photo-cathodes.","authors":"Jitendra Kumar Yadav, Priyanka Saini, Bharti Rani, Prakash Jepar, Ambesh Dixit","doi":"10.1039/d6mh00892e","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6mh00892e","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The use of photo-assisted rechargeable batteries integrating solar harvesting and electrochemical storage represents a sustainable approach for next-generation energy devices. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time a non-aqueous photo-rechargeable iron-ion battery using flower-type VO₂ nanorods, synthesized <i>via</i> a hydrothermal route, as an efficient photocathode material. The structural and morphological characterization by XRD, TEM, BET, XPS, FESEM, Raman, and UV-vis spectroscopy confirms the formation of monoclinic VO₂(B) with a nanorod morphology and strong optical absorption. First, a detailed photo-response analysis was conducted using <i>I</i>-<i>V</i>, chronoamperometry, and chronopotentiometry characteristics of the synthesized photocathode VO₂ with band alignment under dark and illuminated conditions. Further detailed electrochemical investigations were conducted after the photo-rechargeable device fabrication, including cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge, revealing stable Fe-ion insertion/extraction with good reversibility and high capacity. Under illumination by CV analysis, VO₂ exhibits a strong photoresponse, enabling enhanced charge separation and interfacial kinetics with ∼25% enhancement of the CV area at 1 mV s^-1. The GCD results suggest a high capacity of 207 mAh g^-1 under illumination, ∼45% higher than that in the dark. The device delivers reliable photo-rechargeability at multiple current rates, achieving 65% capacity retention under light-driven charging, and maintains excellent stability over 400 cycles. The GITT and EIS analyses show a higher diffusion coefficient under illumination. Demonstrations were also performed, including the single-device and 4-device series connected to LEDs. The post-XRD and SEM analyses were also performed to show the electrode stability during GCD cycling. These results establish VO₂ as a dual-function material that effectively combines light absorption and electrochemical activity, positioning non-aqueous photo-rechargeable Fe-ion batteries as a promising platform for sustainable and scalable energy storage beyond conventional rechargeable batteries.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":"9655-9668"},"PeriodicalIF":11.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148785637","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 robust and double redox-active Prussian blue analogue with enhanced electronic density and reversible electrochemistry for efficient and sustainable capacitive deionization desalination.","authors":"Zhiqiang Wu, Jun Yang, He Ren, Haiyun Ding, Chunyan Li, Yu Zhang, Edison Huixiang Ang","doi":"10.1039/d6mh01423b","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6mh01423b","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Developing Prussian blue analogues that simultaneously achieve high structural robustness, rapid ion transport, and enhanced redox activity is pivotal for the practical implementation of Hybrid capacitive deionization (HCDI). Herein, we report a bimetallic VMnHCF synthesized <i>via</i> a green and low-carbon-footprint approach, in which the introduction of a tailored V-Mn coordination environment significantly increases the density of redox-active sites through the synergistic contribution of V/Mn and Fe-CN-centered dual redox couples. This bimetallic interaction drives the spin-state transition of Mn³⁺ from high spin to low spin, thereby suppressing Jahn-Teller distortion and enhancing lattice stability. The incorporation of V atomic orbitals reconstructs the electronic structure within the bimetallic coordination framework, leading to a reduced density of states near the Fermi level and lower unpaired electron occupation. <i>In situ</i> Raman spectroscopy directly captures the highly reversible and synchronous evolution of the dual redox centers, highlighting the critical role in enabling superior electrochemical reversibility and stability. When employed in HCDI, VMnHCF delivers an outstanding desalination capacity of 58.05 mg g^-1 at an average desalination rate of 1.98 mg g^-1 min^-1 and retains 86.94% over 100 cycles. Furthermore, the engineered bimetallic coordination environment endows the VMnHCF electrode with exceptional Na⁺ selectivity over competing cations.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":"9885-9897"},"PeriodicalIF":11.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148808120","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":"Structured adhesives: inspiration, modeling, engineering and applications.","authors":"Xiaohang Luo, Di Tan, Longjian Xue","doi":"10.1039/d6mh00861e","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6mh00861e","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nature has evolved a remarkable diversity of structured adhesives that enable organisms to achieve robust, reversible, and adaptive attachment in natural environments. Unlike conventional chemical glues, these biological adhesives exhibit strong yet controllable adhesion with residue-free detachment, self-cleaning capabilities, and environmental adaptability, which are primarily enabled by their evolutionarily optimized hierarchical architectures. Deciphering the structural and mechanical principles underlying these systems is therefore essential for the rational design of next-generation bioinspired reversible adhesives. This review examines how biological adhesion principles can be translated into engineered structured adhesives by linking biological archetypes, interfacial mechanics, structural design, and functional integration within a unified framework. We discuss the physical mechanisms governing biological adhesion and the theoretical models that have shaped the current understanding of structured adhesive contacts. We then survey fabrication technologies and design strategies to gain enhanced adhesion, detachment regulation, and improved structural adaptability. Furthermore, we highlight emerging design paradigms, including interfacial stress regulation, internally heterogeneous architectures, programmable reversibility, and adhesion-sensing integration, that are shifting structured adhesives from static attachment structures toward adaptive, multifunctional, and intelligent interfaces. Finally, we outline the persistent challenges in structural design, scalable manufacturing, environmental adaptability, and system integration, while offering perspectives on future opportunities for advanced bioinspired adhesives in robotics, wearable systems, and biomedical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":"9462-9486"},"PeriodicalIF":11.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148663079","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":"Bioinspired fog water harvesting: interfacial physics, materials design, and multifunctional integration.","authors":"Ziwei Wang, Zhihang Ye, Haoyu Bai, Moyuan Cao","doi":"10.1039/d6mh01075j","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6mh01075j","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To alleviate escalating global water scarcity, bioinspired strategies for efficient atmospheric water collectors have attracted considerable attention in arid but foggy regions. Conventional fog collectors are often limited by low efficiency and clogging, whereas early bioinspired studies frequently focused on isolated biological features. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in bioinspired fog water collection. Beginning with the fundamental physical mechanisms governing droplet motion, we analyze three core design strategies: geometric configurations (<i>e.g.</i>, conical and spindle-knot structures), interfacial energy modulation (<i>e.g.</i>, hydrophilic/hydrophobic patterns and super-slippery surfaces), and aerodynamic regulation (<i>e.g.</i>, three-dimensional vortex structures and active aerodynamic control). We further reveal the technological evolution from single-feature bioinspiration to multi-mechanism synergy. As for the development of future fog collecting systems, we also highlight recent advances in water-energy-environment multifunctional integrated systems that can simultaneously harvest water, generate electricity, purify contaminants, and produce nutrients (<i>e.g.</i>, nitrogen fertilizer), which are achieved by integrating triboelectric nanogenerators, photocatalytic degradation, and electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation. Finally, we summarize the key challenges facing bioinspired fog collection technologies, including durability, scalable fabrication, and practical deployment, and discuss future directions such as AI-assisted design, lifecycle-stable materials, and self-sufficient resource systems. This review aims to provide theoretical guidance for the development of next-generation fog harvesting technologies exhibiting high efficiency, long-term durability, and sustainability.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":"9420-9437"},"PeriodicalIF":11.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148596669","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":"Mechanically robust cellulose nanocrystal photonic films with propagation-switchable circularly polarized room-temperature phosphorescence.","authors":"Zhenduo Qiu, Xiaoqing Liu, Xiaoxiao Yu, Xinhai Zhang, Yanhua Cheng, Meifang Zhu","doi":"10.1039/d6mh01013j","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6mh01013j","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The development of circularly polarized room-temperature phosphorescence (CPRTP) materials that simultaneously combine tunable photonic properties, long-lived emission, and mechanical robustness remains challenging. Here, we fabricate a series of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-reinforced cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) chiral photonic films through evaporation-induced helicoidal self-assembly followed by PVA infiltration. By regulating the helical pitch using α-D-glucose, the resulting films exhibit tunable photonic bandgaps and structural colors together with circularly polarized phosphorescence and luminescence. Benefiting from the synergistic rigidification effect of the CNC/Glu chiral matrix and PVA network, our PVA/CNC-Glu-<i>X</i> films combine an ultralong phosphorescence lifetime (1.09-1.36 s) with a high |<i>g</i>_lum| (0.16-0.51). In addition, the PVA/CNC-Glu-50 film enhanced mechanical performance with a tensile strength of 60 MPa and toughness of 2.40 MJ m^-3. Notably, the asymmetric PVA/CNC architecture enables enantiomeric switching of CPL handedness through a propagation-direction-dependent reflection-transmission mechanism. Under top-side excitation, the selective reflection of L-CPL allows the detection of transmitted R-CPL, whereas bottom-side excitation leads to the detection of L-CPL, enabling dynamic chiroptical modulation and multilevel optical encryption. This work provides a feasible strategy for mechanically robust CPRTP photonic materials for advanced optical encoding and information security applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":"9606-9615"},"PeriodicalIF":11.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148710583","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":"Ultra-soft ferrimagnetism in a high-entropy spinel oxide driven by site-selective cation disorder.","authors":"Neha Sharma, Amritpal, Nikita Sharma, Mathieu Duttine, Denis Pelloquin, S D Kaushik, Sanjoy Mahatha, Olivier Toulemonde, Sourav Marik","doi":"10.1039/d6mh00508j","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6mh00508j","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>High-entropy materials are complex, multifunctional materials that have reshaped the design of advanced functional materials. Their chemically diverse compositions enable access to a broader compositional space than conventional solid solutions, while simultaneously posing significant challenges for fundamental structure-property understanding. In this study, we introduce a new high-entropy spinel oxide with an exceptionally low coercivity of 1.8 Oe at room temperature, among the lowest reported for bulk spinel oxides, and a high electrical resistivity (1560 ohm cm). Neutron powder diffraction (NPD) and magnetic measurements reveal long-range collinear ferrimagnetic ordering (<i>k</i> = 0, 0, 0) with a transition temperature at 420 K. This rare combination of ultra-soft magnetic behavior, robust ferrimagnetic ordering well above room temperature, and high resistivity highlights its strong potential as an advanced soft-magnetic oxide for low-loss, high-frequency applications. Furthermore, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), Mössbauer spectroscopy, and NPD analyses were combined to determine the cation distribution and site selectivity across the tetrahedral and octahedral sites of the complex structure.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":"9757-9764"},"PeriodicalIF":11.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148756872","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 dual-molecular interface engineering strategy for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells.","authors":"Dingwei Wang, Yikun Hua, Jintao Ma, Weidan Gu, Jinwen Liu, Yuxin Zhang, Jun Wang, Qingshan Li, Bin Du, Lin Song","doi":"10.1039/d6mh01008c","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6mh01008c","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Defects and interfacial stress at the SnO₂/perovskite buried interface severely hinder further improvements in the performance and scalable manufacturing of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, we propose a dual-molecular co-modification strategy composed of L-citrulline and L-malic acid (CM) to construct a multifunctional interfacial layer with a bridging effect. CM chemically reacts with undercoordinated Sn⁴⁺ in SnO₂<i>via</i> its hydroxyl (-OH) groups, while its urea group (-NH-CO-NH₂) simultaneously passivate undercoordinated Pb²⁺ and I^- defects on the perovskite side. This strategy yields a multilayer configuration that improves the crystallinity of the perovskite film and alleviates its residual stress, thereby reducing non-radiative recombination at the buried interface and optimizing the interfacial energy barrier. As a result, rigid devices achieve an impressive champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.25%, and unencapsulated devices retain 88.31% of their initial efficiency after 1800 h of storage in air. This study provides an effective dual-molecular interface engineering approach for constructing highly efficient and stable perovskite photovoltaic devices.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":"9774-9784"},"PeriodicalIF":11.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148785456","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":"Lattice engineering and ion conduction in halide solid-state electrolytes.","authors":"Linnan Bi, Tianrui Sun, Jiaxuan Liao","doi":"10.1039/d6mh00682e","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6mh00682e","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Halide superionic conductors are among the most promising solid-state electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries. Elucidating the basic structural principles that govern ion transport in them will help improve the ionic conductivity or accelerate the discovery of new structural fast ion conductors. From this perspective, our focus is on the issue of ion transport in the development of all-solid-state batteries. Firstly, we discussed the structural factors that control ionic conduction in solid electrolytes, especially the structural features that enable halide superionic conductivity, and extended the discussion to examine how lattice structure and local structural effects affect ion transport. Unlike previous reviews focusing on static structural descriptors such as ionic radius, polarizability, and vacancy concentration, this review emphasizes the emerging role of dynamic lattice disorder, frustration-assisted transport, and amorphous-enabled superionic conduction in halide solid electrolytes. We provide a unique perspective on the ion conduction mechanism in inorganic halides for the design of future solid electrolytes and hope that this perspective can inspire researchers to develop solid electrolyte materials with high ion conductivity.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":"9506-9522"},"PeriodicalIF":11.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148596645","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":"Bioinspired ultrafast hydration-strengthened electrospun bead-on-string fibrous film.","authors":"Cuiping Liu, Linting Xie, Jia Ding, Huan Zhang, Jie Ju, Xi Yao","doi":"10.1039/d6mh01092j","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6mh01092j","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>High-performance superabsorbent materials are highly desirable for healthcare, personal care, and protective water management applications. Unfortunately, reconciling ultrafast water uptake with robust mechanical stability after hydration while retaining sufficient absorption capacity remains a challenge. Herein, inspired by hagfish slime and spider silk, we develop a bioinspired electrospun superabsorbent fibrous film (SAFF) composed of a poly(acrylic acid-<i>co</i>-3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate) fibrous network and poly(sodium acrylate) particles. The two components synergistically enable ultrafast water uptake while preserving superabsorbent functionality, and the spider-silk-inspired bead-on-string architecture creates a strengthened scaffold that maintains the structural integrity and load-bearing capacity of the hydrated fibrous films. Accordingly, the SAFF exhibits second-scale water uptake, an equilibrium water uptake capacity of ∼82.17 g g^-1, and a hydrated mechanical strength of up to ∼646.4 kPa. In addition, the material demonstrates promising potential for heat shielding and emergency sealing. This work provides a bioinspired strategy for superabsorbent fibrous materials with ultrafast uptake and hydrated-state mechanical robustness.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":"9570-9581"},"PeriodicalIF":11.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148704638","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 spiral brick-and-mortar nanocellulose fiber with high strength, fatigue resistance and enhanced fire safety.","authors":"Zhan Zhou, Zhang-Chi Ling, Quan Wang, Huai-Bin Yang, Zi-Meng Han, Zi-Yuan Jiang, Xiang Zhao, De-Han Li, Yin-Bo Zhu, Heng-An Wu, Qing-Fang Guan, Shu-Hong Yu","doi":"10.1039/d6mh00919k","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d6mh00919k","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Currently, the integration of functional materials with traditional fiber materials has demonstrated broad application prospects in critical fields such as sensors, energy devices, and biomedicine. However, the challenge of simultaneously achieving multifunctionality and excellent mechanical properties in fiber materials remains. Herein, we report nacre-inspired spiral \"brick-and-mortar\" composite fibers constructed from bacterial cellulose (BC) and montmorillonite (MMT) <i>via</i> an aerosol-assisted biosynthesis (AABS) and a bioinspired spiralization strategy. Benefiting from the 3D network of BC and the bioinspired spiral hierarchical architecture, the obtained composite fibers exhibit enhanced mechanical properties, including high tensile strength (558 ± 26 MPa), high toughness (24.9 ± 3.2 MJ m^-3) and fatigue resistance (80 000 cycles of 180° bending). Additionally, the composite fibers achieve self-extinguishing properties, which are hard to obtain with traditional cellulose fibers. Hence, this bioinspired structural design effectively reconciles the trade-off between functionality and mechanical integrity, offering a generalizable pathway toward sustainable high-performance fibers.</p>","PeriodicalId":87,"journal":{"name":"Materials Horizons","volume":" ","pages":"9626-9636"},"PeriodicalIF":11.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148785478","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}