EcoMat最新文献

{"title":"Sustainable Rewritable Paper Enabled by Colored Aqueous Inks for Writing, Painting, and Printing Applications","authors":"Damini Jagankar,&nbsp;Nikita Das,&nbsp;Chandan Maity","doi":"10.1002/eom2.70067","DOIUrl":"10.1002/eom2.70067","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The increasing environmental impact of single-use paper highlights the urgent need for sustainable and reusable alternatives. Herein, we report a versatile rewritable paper platform enabled by biodegradable, water-based colored inks composed of food-grade dyes and sodium alginate. The aqueous inks are compatible with freehand writing, brush-based painting, and inkjet printing, and can be completely erased using mild alkaline solutions such as sodium hydroxide or sodium bicarbonate. Rewritability is achieved by pre-treating the paper substrates with naturally abundant organic acids, including citric, oxalic, tartaric, malic, and succinic acids, which promote fibrous hydrogel formation through intermolecular interactions with alginate. The resulting paper substrates demonstrate good reusability, retaining structural integrity and optical clarity over multiple write–erase–rewrite cycles. Ink patterns remain stable for more than 6 months under ambient conditions while allowing rapid and on-demand removal. Additionally, a rewritable security ink system incorporating aromatic molecules within the alginate matrix enables hidden markings that become visible under ultraviolet light, offering potential for anti-counterfeiting and secure documentation. This work provides a practical and scalable approach to sustainable documentation technologies, consistent with green chemistry and circular design principles, with broad applicability in education, packaging, creative media, and information security.</p><p>\u0000 \u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure>\u0000 </p>","PeriodicalId":93174,"journal":{"name":"EcoMat","volume":"8 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/eom2.70067","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147715068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Engineered Cellulose: A Multifunctional Platform for Next-Generation Sustainable Environmental Technologies","authors":"Amir Hossein Behroozi,&nbsp;Tizazu H. Mekonnen","doi":"10.1002/eom2.70063","DOIUrl":"10.1002/eom2.70063","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Engineered cellulose is redefining the frontier of sustainable materials in the face of escalating environmental challenges. As the world's most abundant biopolymer, cellulose offers an unmatched foundation for developing green technologies, yet its recent transformation through surface functionalization, hybridization, and nano-engineering has unlocked far broader utility. This review critically surveys the evolution of cellulose-based systems across a spectrum of urgent applications, including water purification, soil remediation, CO₂ capture, air filtration, biodegradable packaging, energy storage, and environmental sensing. Drawing from studies published between 2020 and 2025, we highlight innovative materials with well-documented performance metrics, supported by eight comparative tables and schematic illustrations of major fabrication routes. In each domain, the mechanisms driving functionality, material-specific limitations, and future directions are discussed. Particular attention is paid to challenges, such as moisture sensitivity, process scalability, and interfacial compatibility, paired with emerging solutions like bioinspired chemistry, multifunctional composites, and circular design principles. By bridging scientific insight with technological relevance, this review positions cellulose not only as a renewable alternative but as a versatile enabler of next-generation environmental solutions.</p><p>\u0000 \u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure>\u0000 </p>","PeriodicalId":93174,"journal":{"name":"EcoMat","volume":"8 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/eom2.70063","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147715310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Translation Materials for a Net Zero Tomorrow","authors":"Ben Bin Xu,&nbsp;Yinzhu Jiang,&nbsp;Zaiping Guo,&nbsp;Guihua Yu,&nbsp;Maria-Magdalena Titirici","doi":"10.1002/eom2.70064","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/eom2.70064","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Lithium-ion batteries have changed modern life, powering electrification life and energy storage systems. As the trend of the world accelerates to a net-zero future, the limitations of traditional lithium-ion batteries have drawn more attention. The battery has a high-level dependency on lithium, cobalt, and nickel—these key components are limited in global supply and geographically concentrated in several countries. The rising demand indicates a significant supply deficit in the near future, thereby intensifying the challenges we are encountering. Moreover, lithium-ion battery is difficult to recycle and the process is energy-intensive. Furthermore, the high volume consuming of water to extract lithium is deserved to highlight (~682 times more than sodium extraction). Shifting from “waste management” to “design for re-use” is significantly meaningful for achieving a net-zero tomorrow.</p><p>Finally, we would like to express thanks to Prof. Zijian Zheng and the Journal office's support to this special issue. And take this opportunity to thank all the authors.</p><p>All authors contribute equally to this editorial.</p><p>The authors have nothing to report.</p><p>The authors declare no conflicts of interest.</p><p>Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.</p>","PeriodicalId":93174,"journal":{"name":"EcoMat","volume":"8 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/eom2.70064","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147569774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electrochemical Phosphate Sensors With Sub-Nanomolar Detection Limit Based on Selective and Reversible Europium(III) Receptors","authors":"Xiyu Sun,&nbsp;Zinan Yu,&nbsp;Siqi Yu,&nbsp;Avisikta Sinha,&nbsp;Christopher T. Hayes,&nbsp;Satoshi Ishii,&nbsp;Amar H. Flood,&nbsp;Jason D. Azoulay,&nbsp;Valérie C. Pierre,&nbsp;Tse Nga Ng","doi":"10.1002/eom2.70060","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/eom2.70060","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Real-time, continuous phosphate monitoring is vital in biomedical, agricultural, and environmental applications, yet most phosphate sensors are constrained by inadequate detection limits, poor selectivity, and irreversible binding. This work reports compact electrochemical devices that incorporate europium(III) complexes for sensitive phosphate detection, achieving sub-nanomolar detection limits and enabling reversible binding for continuous monitoring. The sensors are highly selective over chloride and other competing anions. Two device architectures are developed and compared, where an amperometric configuration offers simple fabrication and an organic electrochemical transistor provides signal amplification. The sensors allow a wide linear dynamic range of 1–500 nM and a state-of-the-art detection limit of 0.5 nM. The transduction mechanisms and operating parameters under different bias voltages, ionic strengths, and competing anions were systematically studied to optimize performance. The phosphate sensors are validated in complex media including artificial interstitial fluids and field samples from the Mississippi Sound. These results provide the design guidelines for electrochemical sensors using europium(III) complexes as low-cost, portable, and regenerable platforms for biological and environmental monitoring.</p><p>\u0000 \u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure>\u0000 </p>","PeriodicalId":93174,"journal":{"name":"EcoMat","volume":"8 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/eom2.70060","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147569397","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biodegradable, Breathable, and Skin-Friendly Solution-Blown Quercetin Nanofibers for Antiviral Nonwoven Filter","authors":"Dogun Park,&nbsp;Joo-Hyun Hong,&nbsp;Zijun Li,&nbsp;Yeongtak Son,&nbsp;Yea Jung Choi,&nbsp;Sullim Lee,&nbsp;Hyun-Woo Kim,&nbsp;Daekyu Choi,&nbsp;Kiyong Kim,&nbsp;Yun Seok Joh,&nbsp;Do-Kyun Kim,&nbsp;Hee Min Yoo,&nbsp;Ki Hyun Kim,&nbsp;Seongpil An","doi":"10.1002/eom2.70061","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/eom2.70061","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Recent global viral outbreaks have highlighted the urgent need for protective face masks that combine high filtration performance with environmental sustainability. Herein, we developed a biodegradable, breathable, and antiviral nanofiber (NF) filter composed of quercetin (QU) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) via a solution-blowing (SB) technique. The resulting QU/PEO NF filter exhibited a non-woven morphology with high porosity and excellent mechanical durability, showing a high yield strength of 30 MPa. It also demonstrated rapid biodegradation in soil, confirming its eco-friendly nature. Filtration tests showed a high particulate matter (PM_0.5) removal efficiency of up to 96.2% at an airflow rate of 20 L/min, with a low pressure drop, outperforming commercial mask filters. Antiviral evaluation showed significant suppression of SARS-CoV-2 pseudo-virus (PV) infectivity with reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in skin cells. Sustained QU release at biologically relevant concentrations established a direct link between intrinsic bioactivity and filter-level functional performance. In particular, the QU/PEO NF filter demonstrated significant antiviral activity against the live SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. Molecular docking analyses revealed that QU may engage both 3CLpro and the ACE2 interface, suggesting a potential dual-target antiviral mechanism. These results demonstrate the strong potential of the QU/PEO NF filter as a next-generation non-woven material for personal protective equipment, requiring effective viral protection, excellent breathability, skin compatibility, and environmental sustainability.</p><p>\u0000 \u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure>\u0000 </p>","PeriodicalId":93174,"journal":{"name":"EcoMat","volume":"8 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/eom2.70061","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147568581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Scissorable Piezoelectric Nanogenerators Comprising Flexible Micrograting Electrodes Interconnected by Laterally Aligned ZnO Nanowires for Size-Customizable Devices","authors":"Minwook Kim,&nbsp;Donghyun Lee,&nbsp;Kwanlae Kim,&nbsp;Jong G. Ok","doi":"10.1002/eom2.70058","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/eom2.70058","url":null,"abstract":"<p>We present a “scissorable” piezoelectric nanogenerator (SCIPENG) platform comprising flexible micrograting electrodes laterally interconnected by piezoelectric nanowires, whose scalable and homogenous architecture uniquely allows easy cut into the desired size simply by using a scissors. On each sidewall of the microgratings formed by UV nanoimprint lithography, Ag and Au are sequentially deposited via glancing angle deposition (GLAD), followed by another GLAD of Cr on top of the microgratings. Through the metal-mediated seedless hydrothermal synthesis, the ZnO nanowires (ZNWs) can be laterally grown preferentially from each Au sidewall to interconnect each neighboring Ag sidewall while a catalytic-inactive Cr capping layer securely suppresses unnecessary ZNW growth outside the micrograting scaffold. The resulting SCIPENG structure, consisting of multiple stacks of laterally aligned ZNW-interconnected, Au- and Ag-deposited asymmetric micrograting electrodes, exhibits excellent piezoelectric performance under repeated mechanical bending without external bias, with the maximum peak-to-peak voltage of ~140 V. Scissoring into the controlled sizes (e.g., half-length, half-stack) demonstrates well-predictable scaling behavior; output voltage increases with decreased micrograting length; current scales linearly with the stacking number of microelectrodes. This platform offers highly scalable fabrication and extremely easy scaling, particularly promising for sustainable high-mix, low-volume production of flexible devices requiring diverse sizes upon diverse uses.</p><p>\u0000 \u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure>\u0000 </p>","PeriodicalId":93174,"journal":{"name":"EcoMat","volume":"8 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/eom2.70058","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147563670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tunable Crystal Orientation and Particle Size Enable Stable Co-Free LNMO Cathode","authors":"Jiguo Tu,&nbsp;Bokun Zhang,&nbsp;Yan Li,&nbsp;Dongbai Sun,&nbsp;Shuqiang Jiao","doi":"10.1002/eom2.70056","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/eom2.70056","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The high-voltage spinel LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ (LNMO) stands as a promising cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. However, the critical role of sol pH in modulating the crystal orientation and particle size of LNMO synthesized via sol–gel method remains insufficiently explored. Herein, this study focuses on investigating the influence of pH regulation on the crystal orientation, particle size, and electrochemical performance of LNMO. Through adjusting the pH value of the sol and calcination temperature of the resulting gel, LNMO with a truncated octahedral morphology is successfully tailored, characterized by (111)- and (100)-dominant exposed crystal planes and an appropriate amount of Mn⁴⁺/Mn³⁺ ratio. These features endow LNMO with lower Mn dissolution, less solid cathode-electrolyte interface (CEI) formation and faster Li⁺ transport kinetics, thereby resulting in superior specific capacity, cycling stability, and rate performance. Notably, the optimized LNMO delivers a high capacity of 123.0 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.5C, a favorable capacity retention of 85.2% over 200 cycles at 1C, and a fast Li⁺ diffusion coefficient on the order of 10⁻¹⁰ cm² s⁻¹. This work emphasizes the significance of sol pH as a key regulatory parameter for tailoring the microstructural and electrochemical properties of LNMO, offering a facile and effective strategy for performance optimization.</p><p>\u0000 \u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure>\u0000 </p>","PeriodicalId":93174,"journal":{"name":"EcoMat","volume":"8 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/eom2.70056","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146217170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rapid Microwave Annealing of Perovskites: Effects on Device and Material Stability in High Humidity","authors":"Syed Nazmus Sakib,&nbsp;David N. R. Payne,&nbsp;Jincheol Kim,&nbsp;Shujuan Huang,&nbsp;Binesh Puthen Veettil","doi":"10.1002/eom2.70054","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/eom2.70054","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Moisture-induced degradation remains a significant obstacle to the industrial use of perovskite solar cells. This study systematically investigates and compares the stability and degradation mechanisms of MAPbI₃ perovskite films processed via traditional hot-plate annealing (HAF) and rapid microwave annealing (MAF) under high humidity. Morphological analyses show that microwave-annealed films have notably larger grain sizes (~848 nm) compared to those from hot-plate annealing (~247 nm). The larger grains and fewer grain boundaries in microwave-annealed films help reduce moisture infiltration, thus delaying degradation. X-ray diffraction analyses confirm that the formation of harmful PbI₂ and hydrated phases is slowed in microwave-annealed samples. Optical characterizations consistently demonstrate greater moisture resistance in microwave-annealed films, with less optical bleaching, fewer trap states, and better retention of carrier lifetime under high humidity. Performance tests show rapid efficiency losses in devices, with only 30% of the initial power conversion efficiency preserved in hot-plate annealed devices after 6 h at over 85% relative humidity. In contrast, microwave-annealed devices retain over 60% of their initial efficiency under the same conditions. This difference mainly results from significant reductions in photocurrent and open-circuit voltage. Long-term tests in low humidity environments further demonstrate the superior stability of microwave-annealed devices, highlighting their potential for practical solar cell applications. This research presents microwave annealing as a promising technique to enhance the stability of perovskite devices and facilitate their commercial deployment.</p><p>\u0000 \u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure>\u0000 </p>","PeriodicalId":93174,"journal":{"name":"EcoMat","volume":"8 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/eom2.70054","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146256499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Functional Utilization of Aluminum Impurity in Upcycling Li-Ion Battery Cathode Scrap to Ni-Rich LiNiCoMnAlO2","authors":"Sunmin Lee,&nbsp;Gigap Han,&nbsp;Huisu Jeung,&nbsp;Kyungbin Yoo,&nbsp;Byoungki Son,&nbsp;Hyungjoo Noh,&nbsp;Sookyung Kim,&nbsp;Kyungjung Kwon","doi":"10.1002/eom2.70055","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/eom2.70055","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The rapid growth of the lithium-ion battery (LIB) market has led to a surge in cathode-scrap generation, emphasizing the urgent need for resource-efficient and environmentally responsible recycling strategies. While conventional recycling flowsheets effectively recover valuable metals, they typically involve multistep purification to remove Al originating from the cathode current collector. This process often poses technical and environmental challenges, such as managing large volumes of acidic wastewater and the continuous requirement for additional chemical reagents. Herein, a sustainable upcycling route is demonstrated that reutilizes the Al impurity as a functional dopant in Li[Ni_0.9Co_0.05Mn_0.05]_1−xAl_xO₂ (NCMA), eliminating the need for dedicated Al-removal and external Al sources. By applying mild-acid leaching to Li[Ni_0.6Co_0.1Mn_0.3]O₂ (NCM613) scrap, the residual Al content in the leachate is tuned and directly utilized during co-precipitation and calcination, completing a closed material loop. This approach not only reduces wastewater discharge and chemical consumption but also simplifies the overall recycling process. The resulting upcycled NCMA cathodes exhibit balanced electrochemical performance, retaining 65% of their initial capacity after 500 cycles while maintaining high-rate capability. These results highlight that impurity-derived Al, when properly managed, can serve as a sustainable dopant, transforming a contaminant into a resource. The developed process exemplifies a circular, low-waste strategy that aligns with next-generation green manufacturing and EU battery regulation frameworks by minimizing secondary waste streams and eliminating the need for virgin Al reagents.</p><p>\u0000 \u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure>\u0000 </p>","PeriodicalId":93174,"journal":{"name":"EcoMat","volume":"8 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/eom2.70055","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146217212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Proline-Zwitterion Mediated Competitive Interactions Enabling Robust, Antifreezing, and Dendrite-Suppressing Hydrogel Electrolytes for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries","authors":"Min Gong,&nbsp;Qiuji Chen,&nbsp;Enhui Zhang,&nbsp;Liang Zhang,&nbsp;Xiang Lin,&nbsp;Fengxian Gao,&nbsp;Zhen Wu,&nbsp;Dongrui Wang","doi":"10.1002/eom2.70051","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/eom2.70051","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are promising for flexible energy storage; however, water-related issues such as electrolyte decomposition, dendrite growth, and anode corrosion impede practical application. Although hydrogel electrolytes can suppress water activity and guide zinc-ion transport to inhibit dendrites, achieving high strength, high conductivity, and low temperature tolerance together remains challenging. Inspired by natural cryoprotection, a competitive interaction strategy using natural proline is present to enhance the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/ZnSO₄ hydrogel electrolyte. The hydrogel is physically crosslinked by PVA crystallites and stabilized by noncovalent interactions among PVA, Zn²⁺, and proline, showing 0.9 MPa tensile strength and 403% elongation. Proline's zwitterionic groups compete with water molecules in zinc-ion solvation, with a higher binding energy of 222.15 kcal/mol compared to 100.42 for water, enabling uniform Zn deposition and dendrite suppression. Zn||MnO₂ cells with this hydrogel retained 61% capacity after 200 cycles at 0.5 C, much better than the 32% with a liquid electrolyte. Proline also breaks the hydrogen bonding network of water, lowering the freezing point of the hydrogel to −27°C and maintaining 1.95 mS/cm conductivity at −20°C. The hydrogel allows flexible pouch cells to operate reliably under deformation and freezing conditions, demonstrating great potential for wearable energy storage.</p><p>\u0000 \u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure>\u0000 </p>","PeriodicalId":93174,"journal":{"name":"EcoMat","volume":"8 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/eom2.70051","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146256294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}