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LH
Verified CAS / Academic Author100 Decoded Studies

Prof. LI He

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Marine Materials, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Research Publications & English Decoded Briefs

Showing 100 publications
Surface Technology (表面技术)2026DOI: 10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2026.11.005

Research on Wear Resistance and Wear Mechanism of NM500 Steel in a Wide Temperature Range

The tribological behavior of NM500 wear-resistant steel was systematically evaluated across a wide temperature range from −50 to 600 °C to elucidate the influence of temperature on wear resistance and to provide a theoretical basis for service life extension. Friction and wear tests were conducted using a high-temperature tribometer under a normal load of 150 N, rotational speed of 354 r/min, wear track diameter of 15 mm, and test duration of 60 minutes. The microstructure was characterized by SEM and EBSD, while worn surfaces were analyzed using XRD, SEM, and 3D laser confocal microscopy. NM500 steel exhibits a fine lath martensitic structure with a grain size of 7.08 μm, conferring high hardness and superior wear resistance. At cryogenic temperatures (−50, −25, 0 °C), the wear mechanism is predominantly abrasive wear, with a wear rate of only 1.29×10−6 mm3/(N·m). As temperature increases, oxide formation on the worn surface intensifies, friction coefficient decreases to a minimum of 0.3 (50% lower than at low temperature), and wear rate increases significantly: 18×10−6, 22.7×10−6, 46.7×10−6, and 128×10−6 mm3/(N·m) at 100, 200, 300, and 600 °C, respectively. The dominant wear mechanism transitions from abrasive wear at low temperatures to oxidative wear with adhesive wear at elevated temperatures. At 600 °C, thermal softening, reduced texture strength, and oxide film delamination exacerbate material loss, shifting the mechanism to oxidative wear as the primary mode with adhesive wear as secondary.

Surface Technology (表面技术)2026DOI: 10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2026.11.002

Tribological Performance of Diamond/Diamond-like Composite Coatings in Simulated Seawater Environment

Silicon carbide mechanical seal rings in marine rotary equipment suffer severe wear, demanding coatings that simultaneously deliver high hardness, low friction, and corrosion resistance. This study fabricates diamond/diamond-like carbon (DLC) duplex coatings via hot-filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) followed by magnetron-sputter-assisted ion-beam deposition. Microcrystalline diamond (MCD) and ultra-nanocrystalline diamond (UNCD) underlayers are grown on SiC, then capped with a hydrogenated DLC lubricating topcoat, forming a rigid-underlayer/lubricating-top-layer architecture. Tribological tests in simulated seawater reveal that DLC reduces MCD surface roughness from 155.33 nm to 123.77 nm and UNCD roughness from 92.43 nm to 81.90 nm. The MCD/DLC coating lowers steady-state friction coefficient and specific wear rate by 32.08% and 12.22%, respectively; UNCD/DLC achieves 26.67% and 20.92% improvements. SEM, Raman, and XPS analyses of worn surfaces indicate that the DLC top layer mitigates interfacial shear stress, enhances boundary lubrication, and accelerates friction-induced graphitization. The composite coating also reduces counterface ball damage and debris accumulation, extending the service life of mating components. These findings demonstrate that the duplex architecture overcomes the inherent limitations of monolithic diamond coatings, offering a viable route for durable marine seal applications.

Surface Technology (表面技术)2026DOI: 10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2026.11.007

Effect of Wavy Textures on Friction Reduction and Wear Resistance of Cam Tappets

The cam-tappet friction pair in internal combustion engines experiences severe wear under excessive loads and complex lubrication, reducing engine efficiency. This study employs laser surface texturing to fabricate biomimetic wavy textures on GCr15 steel, varying texture spacing to investigate the influence of area fraction on tribological performance. Ball-on-disk tests simulated cam-tappet point contact using AISI 1045 steel balls under 10 N load, 1.038 GPa contact stress, 150 r/min, and oil lubrication. Friction coefficient and wear rate were monitored, with surface morphology and elemental composition analyzed by SEM, 3D profilometer, and EDS. Fluent simulations modeled oil film pressure distribution for different spacings. All textured samples outperformed the untextured substrate. Optimal area fraction of 15–20% reduced friction coefficient by ~50% and wear rate by 60% compared to the substrate, while oil film pressure increased by 20% relative to a 9.75% area fraction texture. Simulation and experimental results concur. Excessive texture area fraction increases contact stress and wear, whereas insufficient area fraction yields low oil film pressure and poor hydrodynamic effects. Laser-fabricated biomimetic wavy textures effectively enhance the friction and wear performance of GCr15 steel through abrasive particle storage and hydrodynamic pressure augmentation, with an optimal area fraction of 15–20%.

Surface Technology (表面技术)2026DOI: 10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2026.11.008

Tribological Properties of Shot Peening/Bionic Texture Multi-modified Layers on Ti/Mo-doped 65Mn Steel Plow Surfaces

The rapid wear failure of 65Mn steel plow surfaces under sandy/clayey tillage conditions, driven by abrasive wear and soil adhesion, necessitates advanced surface modification strategies. This study investigates a triple synergistic modification combining Ti/Mo doping, shot peening, and bionic texturing to enhance tribological performance under water-soil solution lubrication. 65Mn steel ingots with and without (0.1wt.% Ti + 0.2wt.% Mo) doping were cast, heat-treated (normalizing at 830°C, quenching at 800°C, tempering at 265°C), and subjected to ultrasonic shot peening (0.35 MPa, 300% coverage) and laser-textured bionic patterns (37% texture ratio) inspired by pangolin scales. Tribological tests under 20 N and 50 N loads revealed that Ti/Mo doping refined grains and formed TiC precipitates, increasing hardness from 414.7 HV to 496.9 HV and reducing friction coefficient and wear rate by 6.2–6.7% and 41.6–38.7%, respectively. Shot peening alone increased surface roughness (Ra 0.027 to 0.173 μm) and hardness (496.9 to 579.7 HV), reducing wear rate by 33.9–49.8% despite a 9.3–10.3% increase in friction coefficient. Bionic texturing alone reduced friction and wear by 8.6–7.1% and 25.6–40.9%, but limited by texture edge collapse. The combined shot peening/texture treatment reduced friction and wear by 24.1–20.0% and 74.1–77.0% versus doped-only samples. The full multi-modified layer achieved the lowest friction coefficients (0.104, 0.112) and wear rates (0.91×10⁻⁵, 1.24×10⁻⁵ mm³/(N·m)), representing reductions of up to 28.7%, 25.3% and 84.8%, 85.9% compared to the original sample. This “strong matrix-hard surface-antifriction interface” system offers a viable strategy for extending the service life of agricultural soil-engaging components.

Surface Technology (表面技术)2026DOI: 10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2026.11.004

Effect of Ambient Temperature and Humidity on the Current-carrying Tribological Properties of Carbon Brushes/Collector Rings

The operational reliability of hydroelectric generator units is critically constrained by the current-carrying tribological performance of carbon brush/collector ring systems, which are highly sensitive to ambient temperature and humidity. This study conducted controlled-atmosphere experiments on a 45 steel/carbon friction pair under temperatures of 20–40 °C and relative humidity (RH) of 40–60%. Key parameters including friction coefficient, wear rate, contact resistance, and contact temperature were measured, and surface damage mechanisms were analyzed. Results show that at 35 °C and 50% RH, the average friction coefficient reached a minimum of 0.1297, a 46.6% reduction compared to the maximum of 0.2427 at 25 °C and 55% RH. The lowest average contact resistance of 1.52 Ω was obtained at 25 °C/50% RH and 40 °C/45% RH, representing a 49.3% decrease from the maximum of 2.27 Ω at 25 °C/40% RH. Wear rate was minimized at 50% RH. Contact temperature exhibited an 'N'-shaped variation with increasing temperature at constant humidity. Elevated temperature promoted oxidation but reduced water vapor and induced desorption of water molecules, hindering water film formation. At 30 °C, friction coefficient, wear rate, and contact resistance all reached relatively low values. Increased humidity reduced surface roughness and smoothed the brush surface. Water vapor is a key factor influencing abrasive and adhesive wear, with adhesive wear minimized near 50% RH. High temperature or high humidity environments degrade current-carrying tribological performance. These findings provide optimal environmental parameters for enhancing the operational reliability of hydroelectric generator units.

Surface Technology (表面技术)2026DOI: 10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2026.12.004

Test and Simulation Analysis on the Corrosion Evolution over Time of H-shaped Steel Components

H-shaped steel components are ubiquitous in steel structures, yet corrosion research has largely remained confined to two-dimensional flat plates, leaving the spatial-geometric effects on three-dimensional sections poorly quantified. This study addresses that gap through neutral salt spray (NSS) corrosion experiments on H-shaped steel specimens positioned at 0°, 45°, and 90° over corrosion cycles extending to 60 days, coupled with a three-dimensional cellular automata (3D-CA) model of the corrosion evolution. The spatial placement angle exerts a decisive influence on corrosion distribution. At 0° and 45°, the upper flange corrodes more severely than the web, while the lower flange remains least affected; the 45° specimen, however, exhibits accelerated attack because its inclined geometry prevents formation of a protective NaCl electrolyte film on the flanges. At 60 days, the 45° specimen's F1 surface shows average rust layer thickness and average pit depth exceeding those of the 0° specimen by 45.79% and 54.78%, respectively. At 90°, the W1 surface is most severely corroded, followed by the flanges, with W2 least affected. The 3D-CA model reproduces the time-dependent corrosion morphology, yielding pit depth distributions consistent with a Weibull function and agreeing with experimental pit morphology and depth within 5% error. The model is validated as a reliable predictor of spatially heterogeneous corrosion evolution in H-shaped steel, though it currently omits coupled stress and external loading effects.

Surface Technology (表面技术)2026DOI: 10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2026.12.005

Fabrication and Properties of Micro-arc Oxidation/Polyimide/CeO2 Composite Coating on Mg Alloys

Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coatings on magnesium alloys exhibit inherent micro-pores and micro-cracks that serve as corrosive pathways, limiting long-term corrosion and wear resistance. This study fabricates a polyimide (PI)/CeO2 composite coating to seal MAO defects and enhance protective performance. CeO2 particles were dispersed in a polyimide solution and applied to MAO-treated surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electrochemical testing, salt spray testing, and friction-wear testing characterized microstructure, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance. Microstructural analysis shows the PI layer completely fills MAO pores, forming a dense, smooth, hydrophobic surface with contact angles of (114.6±4.2)° and (110.1±3.3)°. Electrochemical tests reveal the MAO/PI-CeO2 coating exhibits the most positive corrosion potential and lowest corrosion current density in 3.5 wt.% NaCl, far superior to single MAO and MAO/PI coatings. Salt spray testing confirms only slight local corrosion after 40 days, demonstrating excellent long-term stability. CeO2 doping densifies the PI matrix; dissolved Ce3+/Ce4+ reacts with OH– to form precipitates that seal micro-defects and inhibit cathodic reactions. The introduction of CeO2 reduces wear depth and width, significantly enhancing wear resistance. PI provides self-lubrication, while CeO2 enhances load-bearing capacity and structural integrity, reducing plastic deformation during sliding contact. The composite coating successfully seals MAO defects and significantly improves long-term corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and hydrophobicity of MAO-coated magnesium alloys.

Opto-Electronic Advances (光电进展)2026DOI: 10.29026/oea.2026.260073

Remote-Mode Microsphere-Enabled Nanoscale Imaging Technology for Real-Time, Label-Free Semiconductor Inspection: From Laboratory Innovation to Commercial Deployment

Conventional optical microscopy is fundamentally constrained by the optical diffraction limit of approximately 200 nm, which restricts the observation of critical nanoscale features in advanced manufacturing, semiconductor defect inspection, and biomedical research. This study presents a remote-mode microsphere-enabled nanoscale imaging technology that overcomes this limitation through the use of a suspended transparent microsphere functioning as a miniature lens. The system forms a magnified virtual image via light refraction at the microsphere surfaces, which is captured by a standard objective lens and reconstructed through reverse optical-path analysis. Experimental validation demonstrates that a 20 μm silica microsphere integrated with a 100× oil-immersion objective (NA = 1.4) resolves 23 nm gaps on silicon wafers and 77 nm metal probe gaps in hard-disk magnetic heads, achieving performance comparable to scanning electron microscopy. A universal lens adapter incorporating a 400 μm microsphere enables a standard 20× objective to attain imaging performance equivalent to a 50× objective at one-tenth the cost of high-end super-resolution systems. The technology has been commercialized by PHAOS Technology, achieving over 300% annual sales growth and receiving the Manufacturing Technology Disruptor of the Year award. This approach provides a scalable, cost-effective solution for real-time, non-contact, label-free nanometrology in semiconductor inspection and industrial quality control.

Opto-Electronic Advances (光电进展)2026DOI: 10.29026/oea.2026.250211

Pixelated BIC Metasurfaces for Terahertz Integrated Sensing and Imaging

Conventional terahertz (THz) single-pixel imaging relies on sequential compressed sensing with spatial modulators, imposing severe acquisition latency and hardware complexity. This work demonstrates a parallelized THz single-pixel imaging scheme using a pixelated metasurface within a standard THz time-domain spectroscopy system. Spatial information is encoded through multiple narrow linewidth resonances rooted in bound states in the continuum (BIC) physics, while the BIC-enabled pixelated metasurface facilitates near-field distributed sensing via local field enhancement. A 2×2 metasurface array validates integrated imaging and sensing in a proof-of-concept experiment, with demonstrated scalability to larger arrays. The approach achieves 100% accuracy in binary imaging reconstruction from a single THz pulse and enables refractive index sensing with a sensitivity exceeding 14.39 GHz/RIU. Leveraging the intrinsic penetration capability of THz radiation, this technique offers significant promise for next-generation noninvasive applications such as security inspection and defect detection in semiconductor chips and pharmaceutical products.

Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)2026DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(26)67070-7

CFD modeling of gas−liquid mixing and splashing in industrial-scale bottom-blowing furnace: Effects of melt viscosity

The co-processing of lead-containing waste materials in oxygen bottom-blowing lead smelting alters melt viscosity, which in turn governs gas−liquid mixing efficiency, splashing behavior, and furnace lining erosion. A multi-fluid volume of fluid (VOF) model, incorporating experimentally determined high-lead slag viscosity values, was applied to an industrial-scale bottom-blowing furnace to resolve these coupled phenomena. The simulations demonstrate that optimal gas−liquid mixing occurs at viscosity values of 0.01 and 0.5 Pa·s, whereas minimal splashing is confined to the viscosity range of 0.1−0.25 Pa·s, corresponding to temperatures of approximately 1076−1100 °C. The regions surrounding the oxygen lances are identified as the most susceptible to erosion. Shear stress increases with melt viscosity, rising particularly rapidly within the 0.1−0.25 Pa·s interval. To minimize erosion, the melt viscosity should be maintained within 0.01−0.1 Pa·s. These findings provide quantitative thresholds for viscosity control in industrial bottom-blowing furnaces processing lead-containing secondary materials, enabling trade-offs between mixing intensity, splashing suppression, and lining protection to be optimized on an operational basis.

Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)2026DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(26)67057-4

Effect of Ca content on mechanical properties and ignition resistance of Mg−Zn−Zr−Ca alloys

The ignition vulnerability of magnesium alloys restricts their deployment in high-temperature aerospace and railway applications. This study investigates the influence of calcium content (0, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8 wt.%) on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and ignition resistance of gravity-cast and hot-extruded Mg−6Zn−0.6Zr alloys. Calcium addition promotes the formation of Ca2Mg6Zn3 phases while suppressing MgZn2 precipitation in the as-cast condition. Homogenization dissolves most MgZn2 phases but retains numerous Ca2Mg6Zn3 particles. Subsequent extrusion fragments the Ca2Mg6Zn3 phases and precipitates nanoscale MgZn2 within the matrix. The synergy of fine grains and high-density precipitates substantially enhances strength. The Mg−6Zn−0.6Zr−1.2Ca alloy achieves optimal mechanical performance, with ultimate tensile strength of 380.1 MPa, yield strength of 360.1 MPa, and elongation of 10.4%. The ignition point increases from 556 °C for the Ca-free alloy to 824 °C for the 1.8 wt.% Ca alloy, attributed to the formation of a dense CaO−MgO oxide layer. These findings demonstrate that calcium alloying offers a cost-effective, rare-earth-free pathway to simultaneously improve mechanical integrity and ignition resistance in magnesium alloys.

Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)2026DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(26)67055-0

Progress in stress-relieving methodologies of ceramic matrix composites/Ni-based superalloys joints: A review

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) offer exceptional high-temperature performance and lightweight characteristics, yet their limited manufacturability restricts fabrication of complex, large-scale structural components. Ni-based superalloys exhibit outstanding elevated-temperature properties, and hybrid CMC/superalloy components can significantly expand engineering applications. Interfacial residual stresses arising from thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) mismatch, thermal gradient differences, and phase transformations severely impair joint performance. This review systematically examines residual stress formation mechanisms in CMCs/Ni-based superalloys joints and summarizes mitigation methodologies including interlayer techniques, composite filler approaches, and interface structure design strategies. Key experimental findings from recent studies demonstrate that composite fillers incorporating nanoparticles (e.g., Ag-CuO-Al2O3, Si3N4, Sc2W3O12, graphene nanosheets, carbon nanotubes, WC) effectively regulate interfacial reactions and relieve residual stresses. For instance, Ag-Cu-Ti+Sc2(WO4)3 composite filler reduced residual stress in Cf/SiC-GH3536 joints, while graphene nanoplatelets reinforced AgCuTi fillers improved SiC/GH99 joint integrity. Mo and B inserts in SiCf/SiC-Ni-based superalloy joints provided microstructural control and reinforcement. These methodologies address the critical bottleneck of CTE mismatch-induced stress concentration, offering pathways to reliable CMC/superalloy hybrid structures for aerospace, energy, and propulsion applications. Challenges remain in scaling these techniques for industrial production and ensuring long-term stability under service conditions.

Railway Engineering Science (铁道工程科学)2026DOI: 10.1007/s40534-025-00385-5

Acoustic characteristic optimal design for railway steel–concrete composite bridge based on the RBFNN-NSGA-II algorithm

Structure-borne noise from railway steel–concrete composite (SCC) bridges presents a persistent challenge due to high sound pressure levels across both low and high frequency ranges. This study establishes a hybrid finite element–statistical energy analysis (FE-SEA) numerical model to predict acoustic radiation from an SCC bridge. Field measurements validate the model with discrepancies of only 0.4 dB and 1.1 dB in overall sound pressure levels. Using uniform design sampling, a high-accuracy radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) surrogate is trained to map cross-sectional parameters to acoustic and cost objectives. The non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) then performs multi-objective constrained optimization, generating a Pareto frontier for sound power level (SWL) and material cost. The technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) selects the optimal parameter combination, achieving a 5 dB reduction in SWL and a 23.9% decrease in material cost. These results demonstrate that strategic cross-sectional adjustments can simultaneously mitigate noise and reduce expenditure, offering a practical framework for acoustic optimization in railway bridge design.

Journal of Advanced Ceramics2026DOI: 10.26599/JAC.2026.9221343

Transparent Ferroelectric Ceramics: From Fundamental Material Design to Multifunctional Optoelectronic Device Integration

The convergence of optics and electronics, driven by intelligent systems and wearable technologies, demands materials that seamlessly integrate optical transparency with robust electrical and mechanical functionalities. Transparent ferroelectric ceramics (TFCs) have emerged as a pivotal platform in this endeavor, uniquely bridging high optical transmittance with strong ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and electro-optic responses. This review comprehensively charts the evolution of TFCs, from fundamental material design to cutting-edge device applications. We systematically analyze the core strategies for achieving transparency in two representative transparent ferroelectric ceramic systems, namely lead-based (Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3, abbreviated as PMN–PT) and lead-free ((K,Na)NbO3, abbreviated as KNN) systems, while also discussing other important systems such as (Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O3 (PLZT), BaTiO3 (BTO), and (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 (BNT) where appropriate for comparison. Critical mechanisms such as grain and domain engineering, refractive-index matching, phase-structure tuning, and defect control are examined. Representative functionalities—including transparent piezoelectricity, electro-optic modulation, energy storage, photoluminescence, and photochromism—are highlighted, with their potential applications evaluated across photoacoustic imaging, adaptive optics, transparent robotics, smart windows, and optical communication. Finally, we identify key challenges and future opportunities, such as high Curie temperature (Tc) design, texture engineering, and multifunctional co-integration. Overall, this review aims to provide theoretical insights and material-design foundations for next-generation multifunctional transparent ferroelectric devices, accelerating their adoption in intelligent sensing, integrated photonics, and transparent optoelectronic systems.

Nano Research2026DOI: 10.26599/NR.2026.94908587

Cactus-inspired freeze-printed SiO2/ZrO2 aerogels with programmable configuration for extreme thermal insulation

Aerogels are promising for thermal insulation due to their lightweight and low thermal conductivity, yet achieving high-temperature resistance (>1000 °C) alongside robust mechanical performance remains challenging. Here, we report a cactus-inspired spiral structure strategy via freezing-assisted direct ink writing (DIW). By controlling the rotation angle (θ) and printing spacing (x), we fabricate SiO2/ZrO2 aerogels with programmable macroscopic spiral architectures. The aerogel with θ = 40° and x = 1.3 mm exhibits excellent thermal insulation (30.2 mW·m−1·K−1) but limited compressive strength (159.3 kPa at 24.2% fracture strain). To enhance mechanical properties without compromising insulation, we propose an arctangent-topological DIW strategy using αn = arctan(1/n) to create four-fold rotational symmetry. At αn = 26.6° (n = 2), the aerogel achieves a thermal conductivity of 33.9 mW·m−1·K−1 and a compressive strength of 341.7 kPa at 24.6% fracture strain, representing a significant improvement. Finite element simulations (COMSOL Multiphysics) corroborate experimental results. Demonstrations on electronic chips and flame nozzles confirm effective thermal protection. This work provides a viable route to aerogels with integrated high-temperature stability and mechanical robustness.

Nano Research2026DOI: 10.26599/FRICT.2026.9441213

Research Progress and Application Prospects of Nanocomposites in Lubricants

Nanocomposites have attracted significant attention as lubricant additives due to their advantages in reducing friction, enhancing wear resistance, and improving thermal and oxidative stability. In recent years, increasing research has explored how different types of nanomaterials (such as carbon-based materials, metallic nanoparticles, and ceramic phases) can use synergistic effects to achieve performance surpassing that of their single components. This review focuses on relevant studies published between 2020 and 2025, providing an updated overview of the advantages, synthesis methods, structures, dispersion stability, lubrication mechanisms, and tribological behavior of nanocomposites. Various structural types are discussed, including core–shell, layered, and in situ hybrid systems, along with their fabrication routes, such as sol–gel processing, hydrothermal synthesis, and surface modification strategies. The lubrication mechanism of nanocomposites is analyzed based on the material structure and the testing conditions. Particular attention is paid to the synergistic effects among multiple components within the nanocomposites and to how these synergies enhance tribological performance. Furthermore, the challenges faced by nanocomposites and potential future developments are discussed. This review aims to clarify the current status of nanocomposites as lubricant additives and facilitate their future application in advanced lubrication systems.

Nano Research2026DOI: 10.26599/FRICT.2025.9441201

Study of Lubricating Nanocoatings for Cardiovascular Catheters Based on Molecular Self-Assembly and Schiff Base Reactions

During cardiovascular interventional surgeries, catheters contact vascular tissues, causing friction, collisions, and compression that may damage tissue. Surface engineering is essential to modify catheter surfaces. Effective coatings require high adhesion to prevent delamination from the inner surface, while the outer surface must provide excellent lubricity and biocompatibility. In this study, layer-by-layer (LbL) technique was employed to introduce catechol-modified chitosan (CC) and dopamine-modified oxidized hyaluronic acid (DOHA), forming a nanoscale, superhydrophilic, strongly adhesive, and biocompatible coating on cardiovascular catheters. Tight binding of CC and DOHA results from electrostatic interactions, chemical reactions, and catechol group enrichment, yielding an adhesion strength of up to 1 MPa. These CC/DOHA multilayers greatly enhance lubrication of the TPU substrate, reducing the coefficient of friction (COF) by up to 95% compared with the uncoated state. After a 30-min friction test, the COF of the CC/DOHA16 coating only slightly increased from 0.032 to 0.044, demonstrating excellent stability. Evaluations revealed a reduction in vascular intima damage from grade 5 without coating to grade 3, confirming the coating's effectiveness in minimizing friction-induced damage. The coating thickness was approximately 150 nm, and superhydrophilicity was achieved at 16 layers. These findings indicate that the CC/DOHA LbL coating offers a promising solution for improving catheter safety and performance.

Chinese Journal of Energetic Materials (含能材料)2026DOI: 10.11943/CJEM2026036

Preparation and Performance of Epoxy Resin Cured Compounds with High Mechanical Strength and Energy-release Capability for Reactive Warhead Casings

To address the issue that resin matrices in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites cannot participate in explosive energy release when used in warhead casings, an epoxy resin cured compound with both high mechanical properties and high energy-release characteristics was prepared by introducing more easily pyrolyzable polyether segments and fluoropolymer-coated nano-aluminum powder into a high-rigidity epoxy cured compound. The crosslinked network structure, mechanical properties, thermal decomposition characteristics, ignition and combustion characteristics, and energy-release performance were characterized using infrared spectroscopy, quasi-static mechanical testing, TG-DSC, laser ignition testing, and closed bomb testing. Results show that the cured compound has a well-formed crosslinked network, a tensile strength of 72.41 MPa, an initial thermal decomposition temperature of approximately 273 °C, a minimum ignition energy reduced to 1.77 J, a maximum pressure rise rate of 0.407 MPa·ms⁻¹, and a peak pressure increased to 5.935 MPa in closed bomb tests. The introduction of polyether segments and fluoropolymer-coated nano-aluminum enhances the energy release rate and total energy release, making the material a potential resin matrix for CFRP-based reactive structural materials.

Chinese Journal of Energetic Materials (含能材料)2026DOI: 10.11943/CJEM2026012

Reaction-Growth Behavior of Energetic Materials under Mass-Inertial Confinement

To investigate the reaction-growth behavior of propellants and polymer-bonded explosives (PBX) after non-shock ignition under mass-inertial confinement, a thick-walled cylinder experimental setup was constructed. The setup provided strong radial structural confinement and incorporated a large mass block with a mass ratio exceeding 45:1 relative to the energetic material. Laser ignition (250 W) was used to initiate reactions, and multiple photonic Doppler velocimetry (PDV) probes simultaneously measured radial expansion velocity of the cylinder and axial velocity of the mass block top. High-speed photography and recovered debris analysis were employed to compare reaction evolution processes. Results show that mass-inertial confinement enhances pressure buildup during the early reaction phase, but the type of energetic material determines reaction-growth characteristics and violence under identical confinement. For the composite propellant (containing AP, aluminum, RDX, and energetic binder), mass-inertial confinement dominated early pressurization; the system exhibited axial mass block acceleration without yielding of the thick-walled cylinder. Maximum reaction pressure was below 50 MPa, reaction fraction was less than 1%, and nearly all propellant was recovered, indicating a burning reaction. For the PBX (containing HMX and CL-20), early pressurization was jointly influenced by mass-inertial and structural confinement; the cylinder underwent yielding and radial expansion, and the mass block showed local upsetting deformation. Maximum reaction pressure reached 2 GPa, reaction fraction exceeded 50%, and no explosive was recovered, indicating a violent explosion. These findings provide insights into non-shock ignition reaction-growth mechanisms and safety design of structural charges.

Journal of Inorganic Materials (无机材料学报)2026DOI: 10.15541/jim20260018

Influence of Preparation Processes on the Structure and Properties of the Ductile Thermoelectric Material Ag2S0.4Te0.6

Ag2S0.4Te0.6 is an inorganic semiconductor with favorable ductility and thermoelectric performance, showing potential for applications in wearable electronics. Recent studies have indicated that optimization of preparation processes, such as annealing, can significantly enhance the ductility of the material, which is closely related to its phase composition and crystal structure. In this work, high-resolution synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction data of the Ag2S0.4Te0.6 powder sample before and after annealing were collected over a temperature range of 110–700 K. By combining Rietveld structural refinement, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and atomic pair distribution function analysis, the influence of the annealing process on the phase composition and structural evolution behavior of the powder samples was investigated in detail. The results show that the pristine Ag2S0.4Te0.6 powder is predominantly amorphous, containing only a small amount of poorly crystalline monoclinic phase. During heating, the material gradually crystallizes, first forming a monoclinic phase, which subsequently transforms into mixed body-centered cubic (bcc) and face-centered cubic (fcc) phases. After cooling back to room temperature, the sample remains in a mixed state of bcc-dominated cubic crystallinity and amorphous phase. In contrast, the annealed powder sample already exhibits a mixed cubic crystalline/amorphous state at room temperature, and no obvious phase transition behavior is observed during heating. Moreover, the thermoelectric properties of Ag2S0.4Te0.6 bulk sample remain largely unaffected by the annealing process. This study provides structural insights for further understanding the annealing-induced improvement in ductility.

Journal of Inorganic Materials (无机材料学报)2026DOI: 10.15541/jim20260115

Research Progress on Controllable Synthesis of Blue-emitting ZnSeTe Quantum Dots and Quantum-dot Light-emitting Diode Devices

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are promising emissive materials for optoelectronic devices owing to their tunable emission wavelength, high color purity, and solution processability. Quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs), an important complementary technology to organic light-emitting diodes, have demonstrated considerable potential in display applications. However, the inherent toxicity of conventional Cd- and Pb-based QDs has driven the development of heavy-metal-free QDs systems. Currently, heavy-metal-free blue QLEDs still lag significantly behind their red and green counterparts in device efficiency and operational stability, representing a critical bottleneck to their practical application. To address this issue, ZnSeTe QDs have attracted significant research interest due to their tunable bandgap and excellent blue emission properties. In this work, a comprehensive review of ZnSeTe QDs is provided. Firstly, their nucleation and growth mechanisms, as well as typical synthesis methods are introduced, and the key factors affecting their optical properties are discussed. On this basis, various performance optimization strategies, including band engineering, surface etching, shell passivation, and ligand regulation, are systematically summarized. Furthermore, electroluminescence mechanisms of QLEDs and recent progress on the application of ZnSeTe QDs in blue-emitting devices are reviewed. Finally, the current challenges, such as low emission efficiency, limited device lifetime, and charge injection imbalance, are discussed, and potential future development directions are proposed.

Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)2026DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25060003

Challenges, Development and Future of Silica Abrasives in Chemical Mechanical Polishing Derived from Past Six Decades

Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is indispensable for global planarization in semiconductor manufacturing, particularly as integrated circuit technology advances to sub-7 nm nodes where atomic-level surface flatness is critical. Silica abrasives constitute over 90% of the abrasive market in advanced CMP processes, operating via a chemical-mechanical synergistic mechanism: chemical softening of the wafer surface followed by mechanical removal of the softened layer, repeated to achieve planarization. Despite their prevalence, conventional silica abrasives face persistent challenges: relatively low material removal rate (MRR), agglomeration leading to poor dispersion and surface defects, and limitations in achieving ultimate surface uniformity. This review systematically summarizes six decades of progress in silica abrasives for CMP, tracing development from simple spherical particles to complex structural designs (mesoporous, hollow, raspberry-shaped) that enhance slurry transport and mechanical action. Surface chemical modifications (amino or polymer groups) improve dispersion stability and reduce scratching. Composites with ceria or polymers and precise control of particle size distribution are key to performance enhancement. State-of-the-art slurries achieve surface roughness below 0.1 nm RMS. Emerging directions emphasize sustainability and smart manufacturing, notably biodegradable abrasives that disintegrate after use, simplifying post-CMP cleanup and minimizing environmental impact, aligning with green manufacturing principles. This review provides theoretical insights and forward-looking strategies to overcome current limitations and advance CMP abrasives toward next-generation semiconductor manufacturing.

Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)2026DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25060014

In situ synthesis and stabilization of perovskite quantum dots in electrospinned fibers

All-inorganic CsPbX3 perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) offer high quantum yield and narrow emission, but their susceptibility to humidity and air necessitates robust encapsulation that also prevents agglomeration. This work presents a single-step electrospinning method to synthesize and stabilize CsPbBr3 PQDs within a hydrophobic fluoropolymer nonwoven matrix without additional stabilizers. Equimolar cesium and lead(II) bromide precursors were mixed with fluoroplast, and fibers were electrospun. The resulting materials exhibited photoluminescence peaks from 507 to 517 nm under 365 nm excitation, with average PQD diameters ranging from 4 to 13 nm as a function of spinning solution exposure time. A model of particle formation and growth during jet travel attributes the size increase to initial jet diameter expansion and Ostwald ripening. The nonwoven mats retained stable luminescent properties for up to 2.5 years under variable environmental conditions. This approach eliminates the need for colloidal synthesis and subsequent transfer, reduces fabrication costs, and yields flexible, large-area luminescent materials suitable for wearable optoelectronics and biocompatible implants.

Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)2026DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25070024

Optimization and Defect Control in Photoresist Etch Back Processes for Advanced Semiconductor Technologies

The introduction of high-k/metal gate (HK/MG) technology enables independent tuning of NMOS and PMOS threshold voltages, facilitating advanced nodes and improving overall chip performance. However, severe pattern loading effects during PMOS device fabrication pose challenges in dummy poly removal. This work reports the optimization of the photoresist etch back (PREB) process, providing a wider process window for subsequent AL CMP. By tuning the PR coating uniformity to 1.6% and applying four-zone electrostatic chuck (ESC) temperature control, the wafer-level uniformities of PR, SiN, and SiO2 were reduced to 6.3%, 2.3%, and 5.1%, respectively. An optimized over etch (OE) recipe with a high selectivity of PR : SiN : SiO2 ≈ 1 : 1 : 6 effectively balanced gate height loading between N- and PMOS regions. Furthermore, precise EB1 time tuning enabled defect removal, while advanced KLA inspection ensured early detection of critical failure modes. Collectively, these measures establish a robust and stable PREB process for advanced logic device fabrication.

Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)2026DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25070023

Harnessing Eu/Ce-codoped ZnO Nanomaterial Derived from MOF Precursor for High-Performance n-Butanol Sensing under UV Activation at Ambient Temperature

Prolonged exposure to n-butanol, a hazardous volatile organic compound (VOC), necessitates sensitive detection at low concentrations for environmental and health monitoring. This study presents a novel Eu/Ce-codoped MOF-ZnO gas sensor for n-butanol detection under ultraviolet (UV) activation at ambient temperature. A series of Eu/Ce-ZnO nanomaterials were synthesized via a simple co-precipitation route by varying the mass ratios of Eu and Ce incorporated into pristine ZnO derived from MOF precursors. Gas testing results revealed that introducing an appropriate amount of Eu and Ce enlarged the specific surface area and enriched the oxygen vacancy content compared to pristine MOF-ZnO. Upon UV irradiation, the 0.03 wt% Eu 0.04 wt% Ce-ZnO sensor achieved a superior response of 611 for 100 ppm n-butanol at room temperature, 15.28 times higher than that of pristine MOF-ZnO (40). Furthermore, the sensor presented rapid response/recovery times (15 s/28 s) and excellent selectivity. The doped rare earth elements Eu and Ce simultaneously suppress the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, greatly improving response, stability, and selectivity. These findings demonstrate the potential of Eu/Ce-codoped ZnO nanoparticles for efficient, cost-effective n-butanol detection, offering a promising avenue for highly sensitive, UV-enhanced gas sensors for ambient temperature VOC monitoring.

Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)2026DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25120027

A 2 mm × 2 mm Battery-Free Neural Interface Achieving 72-Channel Wireless Simultaneous Recording by Dual Overlapped On-Chip Antennas

Battery-free neural implants leveraging wireless power transfer (WPT) enable miniaturization but face a fundamental bottleneck: transmitting massive parallel neural data over a power-constrained backscatter link. Active radios achieve high data rates (e.g., 20.48 Mbps for 4 channels) but consume excessive power (655 µW) and require separate antennas, enlarging implant volume (3.4 cm³). Passive backscatter radios using a single power coil eliminate active transmitters but are limited to ~2 Mbps due to the trade-off between WPT efficiency and coil Q-factor. This work introduces dual overlapped on-chip antennas that decouple power harvesting from high-rate backscatter communication, enabling simultaneous 72-channel recording within a 2 mm × 2 mm die. An orthogonal coding and sampling technique reduces per-channel power and area. Fabricated in 65 nm CMOS, the chip achieves an 18 Mbps backscatter data rate, with measured per-channel area and power of 0.06 mm² and 10.32 µW, respectively. The dual-antenna topology mitigates backscatter-induced WPT degradation, demonstrating a viable path for high-density, battery-free neural interfaces.

Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)2026DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25120014

Electrohydrodynamic Inkjet Printing of Perovskite Quantum Dots for Color-Conversion Micro-LED Displays

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) inkjet printing has emerged as a micro-/nanofabrication technique for high-resolution perovskite quantum dot (PeQD) color-conversion layers, offering precise control over pixel morphology, dimensions, and composition. This review systematically examines the mechanisms of cone-jet and electrostatic-attraction modes in EHD printing, highlighting recent advances in PeQD ink design, solvent and ligand engineering, and printing parameter optimization. Perovskite precursor and colloidal inks are discussed in detail, emphasizing strategies to enhance droplet ejection stability, suppress coffee-ring effects, and achieve uniform, high-luminescence pixels. Ligand exchange, dual-ligand passivation, and core-shell or polymer encapsulation are shown to effectively mitigate ion migration, surface defects, and environmental degradation, thereby improving photoluminescence efficiency and stability. Multi-channel and multi-nozzle EHD printing systems enable dynamic halide composition control and parallel RGB pixel deposition, facilitating ultrahigh-resolution patterning down to submicron feature sizes. Finally, the review highlights future directions, including synergistic PeQD material synthesis, advanced ink formulation, scalable high-throughput printing, and integration of PeQD color-conversion pixels into full-color micro-LED displays with minimal crosstalk and robust operational stability. These developments collectively demonstrate the immense potential of EHD inkjet printing for next-generation high-performance display technologies.

Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)2026DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/26020057

Large-scale integrated photonic accelerators for ultralow-latency and universal AI computing

Integrated silicon photonics has emerged as a transformative technology for post-Moore computing, offering high bandwidth, ultralow latency, and low energy consumption that surpass traditional electronic architectures. As AI models grow in complexity, the demand for high-speed, energy-efficient computing has intensified research into photonic accelerators. Matrix multiply-accumulate (MAC) operations, central to deep learning and combinatorial optimization, are particularly amenable to photonic implementation because light enables parallel multiplication and accumulation with minimal data movement. However, practical deployment has been hindered by challenges in large-scale integration, electro-optical co-packaging, analog computation accuracy, and compatibility with mainstream AI models. Two recent Nature studies have achieved pivotal breakthroughs: a 64×64 photonic arithmetic computing engine (PACE) with over 16,000 monolithically integrated photonic components, and a universal photonic AI accelerator. PACE employs a 2.5D hybrid packaging approach, cointegrating a 65-nm silicon photonics PIC and a 28-nm CMOS EIC via flip-chip bonding, achieving a minimum bump pitch of 100 μm and parasitic capacitance of 40–60 fF. Its incoherent optical computing architecture eliminates cross-channel interference and enables high-precision calibration. These works validate photonic accelerators as competitive alternatives to electronic AI chips, marking a critical step toward commercialization.

Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)2026DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2026.02.008

Tensile-Shear Collaborative Fracturing in Hard Rock Induced by a Controllable Free Surface: Mechanism and Application

In deep hard rock mining, high confining pressure inhibits tensile failure, leading to low efficiency and severe tool wear in conventional mechanical rock breaking methods. To solve this problem, we propose a Controllable Free Surface Induced Tensile-Shear Collaborative Fracturing (CFS-TSCF) method. The method pre-forms an engineered controllable free surface (CFS) to reconfigure the local stress field, enabling a specialized device (FIPFD) to apply directional tensile-shear loads for low-energy breaking. A multi-scale approach integrating lab AE tests, DEM simulations, and field verification investigated the fracture mechanism and performance. Results revealed a predominantly tensile-driven (>50%) process. The CFS transforms the rock's triaxial compression into a specific stress path. This path, dominated by directional tension and constrained by lateral compression, guides the fracture along a low-energy channel. This also dictates the micro-mechanism's evolution from central quasi-tensile to peripheral tensile-shear failure. Field trials in hard rock (>200 MPa UCS) validated the method, demonstrating controllable, blocky spalling and achieving an average mining efficiency of 52.03 t/h. This research validates the CFS-TSCF method, offering a new technical paradigm for safe, efficient, continuous hard rock mining.

China Foundry2026DOI: 10.1007/s41230-026-5243-x

Factors influencing high-temperature compressive strength of alkaline phenolic resin-bonded sand

During the casting process, no-bake resin-bonded sand molds and cores rapidly heat up upon contact with high-temperature molten metal, causing dramatic changes in the resin binder system and a significant deterioration in mechanical properties, which subsequently leads to casting defects. To reveal the mechanism behind the evolution of high-temperature performance, the effects of resin content, base sand type, and particle size on the compressive strength of alkaline phenolic no-bake resin-bonded sand at temperatures ranging from 600 °C to 1,000 °C were investigated. The results show that the temperature range of 600-800 °C represents the primary stage of strength loss, corresponding to intense resin decomposition. Meanwhile, structural reorganization of the carbon skeleton above 900 °C can lead to a partial recovery of strength. This study provides key data and theoretical support for understanding the high-temperature mechanical behavior of resin-bonded sand and its relationship with casting defects.

Journal of Central South University2026DOI: 10.1007/s11771-026-6173-x

Laser powder bed fusion of biodegradable Zn-4Cu alloy: Processing, microstructure and properties

Zn's natural degradability and biocompatibility make it a promising candidate for implants, however, its mechanical properties remain insufficient for bone applications. In this study, the performance of Zn was enhanced by developing Zn-Cu alloys via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Optimal LPBF parameters for forming stable tracks were achieved by adjusting laser power and scanning speed. Under optimized conditions of 100 W and 100 mm/s, high-density (99.58%) Zn-Cu alloys with improved hardness (68.2HV) and yield strength (160 MPa) were achieved. These improvements are attributed to solid solution strengthening, segregation strengthening, and grain refinement. The Zn-Cu alloys also demonstrated favorable degradation behavior, with a rate of 0.16 mm/year. This degradation is primarily driven by micro-galvanic corrosion between the CuZn5 phase and Zn matrix, along with refined grains and increased grain boundary density. This work demonstrates a viable strategy for fabricating Zn-based implants with enhanced structural integrity and mechanical performance via LPBF.

Nano-Micro Letters2026DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01997-6

Atomically Dispersed Pt-Ru Dual-Atom Catalysts for Efficient Low-Temperature CO Oxidation Reaction

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have demonstrated excellent performance in heterogeneous catalytic reactions owing to their maximized atomic efficiency, distinctive geometric, and electronic configurations. However, the efficacy of SACs remains limited for certain reactions requiring simultaneous activation of multiple reactants over metallic active sites. Herein, we report an atomically dispersed Pt1Ru1 dual-atom pair site anchored on nanodiamond@graphene (ND@G) for CO oxidation. The Pt1Ru1 dual-atom catalyst shows an exceptional turnover frequency (TOF) of 17.6 × 10−2 s−1 at significantly lower temperature (30 °C), achieving a tenfold increase in TOF compared to single-atom Pt1/ND@G catalyst (1.5 × 10−2 s−1) and surpassing to previously reported Pt-based catalysts under similar conditions. Moreover, the catalyst demonstrates excellent stability, maintaining its activity for 40 h at 80 °C without significant deactivation. The superior catalytic performance of Pt-Ru dual-atom catalysts is attributed to the synergistic effect between Pt and Ru atoms with enhanced metallicity for improving simultaneous adsorption and activation of CO and O2, and the tuning of conventional competitive reactant adsorption into a non-competitive pathway over dual-atom pair sites. The present work manifests the advantages of dual-atom pair sites in heterogeneous catalysis and paves the way for precise design of catalysts at the atomic scale.

Nano-Micro Letters2026DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01975-y

Scalable-Designed Photonic Metamaterial for Color-Regulating Passive Daytime Radiative Cooling

Methods allowing passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) to be carried out in an energy-efficient and scalable way are potentially important for various disciplines. Here, we report a sustainable strategy for scalable-designed and color-regulating PDRC coating based on high-crystallinity photonic metamaterial (crystallinity: 71.5%; enhanced assembly efficiency: 72%), that is derived from the as-prepared 55 wt% solid content poly(methyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate-methacrylic acid) P(MMA-BA-MAA) monodispersed latexes (approaching theoretical limit: 59 wt%). Robust meter-scale PDRC coatings are constructed by various industrial modes onto diverse surfaces, addressing bottlenecks like dull appearance, high cost, low efficiency, and hard construction. Notably, the solar reflectance, long-wave infrared emittance, and calculated theoretical cooling power of the designed PDRC coating, respectively, reach ~0.94, ~0.97, and ~95.5 W m−2 under solar radiation, which can achieve an average 5.3 °C sub-ambient daytime temperature drop in the summer in Nanjing. The cooling performance, scale preparation, and cost-effectiveness of the PDRC coating have extended into leading position compared with those of state-of-the-art designs. This work provides promising route to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption for global sustainability.

Journal of Central South University2026DOI: 10.1007/s11771-026-6266-6

Transformation of strain energy increment in catastrophe model and its application to stability analysis of host rock in nuclear waste disposal caverns

To reduce the subjectivity of conventional instability criteria in deep rock engineering, this study develops an energy-driven criterion grounded in cusp catastrophe theory and embeds it within an improved nonlinear Hoek-Brown (H-B) strength-reduction framework. We derive an explicit algebraic transformation that maps a quartic energy potential to the standard cusp form and introduce the mutation eigenvalue Δ as a physically interpretable measure of proximity to the vanishing of the energy barrier. Building on this, failure staging is diagnosed in practice by the concurrence of a slope mutation in displacement-reduction-factor curves, a threshold jump of total plastic strain-energy increment typically exceeding threefold between adjacent reduction steps, and video-confirmed crack through-connection. Integrating Δ with the nonlinear reduction scheme yields reproducible integral safety factors. Two representative cavern layouts (Model A/B) are validated by scaled physical model tests and companion simulations: global failure occurs at the overload safety factor K=2.33 for Model A and K=2.73 for Model B, with relative deviations from tests (2.4P0 and 2.9P0) of 1.3% and −5.9%, respectively, coinciding with the energy-jump threshold and the multi-evidence diagnosis. Compared with the equivalent Mohr-Coulomb parameter approach, the improved nonlinear scheme produces smaller (more conservative) safety factors by 5.7% and 2.5%, while better matching the observed destabilization process. The framework clarifies the role of Δ as an energy-based instability indicator and offers a practical, verifiable criterion for cavern stability assessment.

Nano-Micro Letters2026DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-02015-5

Enhancing Ultraviolet Stability and Operational Durability of Perovskite Photodetectors by Incorporating Chlorine into Thermally-Switchable Tautomeric Passivators

UV-absorbing additives have recently been demonstrated to be effective interfacial modifiers that simultaneously enhance the UV stability and crystallization of halide perovskite. However, the underlying mechanisms concerning UV absorption, defect passivation, and efficacy optimization of these additives remain unresolved. Herein, two UV tautomeric absorbers (UV320 and UV327) are selected as defect-passivators for perovskites. The keto–enol tautomeric evolution processes and corresponding defect passivation performance/mechanism of both the original molecules and their tautomers are thoroughly compared and elucidated through experimental characterizations and density functional theory calculations. The additional carbonyl (–C=O) groups generated through the keto–enol tautomeric process triggered by the Cl atom in UV327 ultimately provide superior chemical coordination and enhanced defect-passivation capability compared to the original counterparts. Moreover, the versatility of K-UV327 is further demonstrated by its optimization of SnO2 film quality, interfacial energy band alignment, charge extraction efficiency, and defect state suppression. The photodetector optimized by UV327’s tautomer achieves an ultralow dark current density of 3.22 × 10−10 A cm−2, an enhanced linear dynamic range of 94.14 dB, and a fast response time of 23.35/26.19 μs. Notably, unencapsulated devices maintain a stable response at 3900 Hz following 300 h exposure to 40% ± 5% relative humidity and 30 h UV irradiation.

Nano-Micro Letters2026DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-02011-9

A High-Performance Thermal Charging Cell with High Power Density and Long Runtime Enabled by Zn2+ and NH4+ Co-insertion

Zn-based thermal charging devices, utilizing the synergistic effect of ion thermoextraction and thermodiffusion, are able to efficiently convert thermal energy into electrical energy and storage in the devices, making them a highly promising technology for low-grade heat recovery and utilization. However, the low output power density and energy conversion efficiency resulted by the slow diffusion kinetics of Zn2+ hinder their development. Herein, we present a high-performance thermal charging cell design using Zn2+/NH4+ hybrid ion electrolyte, which not only maintains the high output voltage of the Zn-based thermoelectric system, but also significantly enhances the output power density due to the fast diffusion kinetics of NH4+. Based on this strategy, the thermal charging cell displays a high thermopower of 12.5 mV K−1 and an excellent normalized power density of 19.6 mW m−2 K−2 at a temperature difference of 35 K. The Carnot-relative efficiency is as high as 12.74%. Moreover, it can operate continuously for over 72 h when the temperature difference persists, achieving a balance between thermoelectric conversion and output. This work provides a simple and effective strategy for the design of high-performance thermal charging cells for low-grade heat conversion and utilization.

Nano-Micro Letters2026DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-02006-6

Nature-Inspired Redox Shuttle with Regenerable Antioxidant for Efficient All-Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells

Pb–Sn mixed perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are crucial components for realizing efficient all-perovskite tandem devices. However, their efficiency and stability are severely limited by oxidative degradation (Sn4+ formation) and metallic defects (Sn0/Pb0). In addition, the rapid and uncontrolled Sn2+ nucleation kinetics result in nonuniform crystallization. Herein, we introduce a natural redox shuttle glutathione (GSH) in Pb–Sn mixed PSCs, achieving regenerable antioxidation and crystallization regulation simultaneously. The reversible redox reactions between GSH and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) enable the self-healing of Sn4+ and Sn0/Pb0 impurities, creating a regenerable antioxidation protective shell at the perovskite interfaces. Meanwhile, the strong coordination between GSH and perovskite regulates the crystallization process, optimizing the nucleation and crystallization kinetics. Furthermore, the GSH incorporation creates a high-quality charge separation junction at the perovskite/hole transport layer, facilitating carrier separation and extraction. The optimized Pb–Sn PSCs exhibit impressive power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of up to 23.71%. The champion all-perovskite tandem PSCs with GSH achieve a PCE of 28.49% and retain 90% of the initial PCE after 560 h of continuous illumination. This work establishes a new nature-inspired redox shuttling strategy and elucidates its working mechanism, advancing the development of efficient and stable all-perovskite tandem solar cells.

Nano-Micro Letters2026DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-02010-w

Vertical Interfacial Engineering in Two-Step-Processed Perovskite Films Enabled by Dual-Interface Modification for High-Efficiency p-i-n Solar Cells

Two-step-processed (TSP) inverted p-i-n perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have demonstrated significant promise in tandem applications. However, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of TSP p-i-n PSCs rarely exceeds 24%. Here, we demonstrate that TSP perovskite films exhibit a vertically gradient distribution of residual PbI2 clusters, which form Schottky heterojunctions with the perovskite, leading to substantial interfacial energy-level mismatches within NiOx-based TSP p-i-n PSCs. These limitations were effectively addressed via a vertical interfacial engineering enabled by dual-interface modification incorporating tin trifluoromethanesulfonate (Sn(OTF)2) and 4-Fluorophenylethylamine chloride (F-PEA) at the NiOx/perovskite and perovskite/C60 interfaces, respectively. The functional Sn(OTF)2 not only enhances the conductivity of NiOx films but also suppresses ion migration, while inducing the formation of a Pb-Sn mixed perovskite interlayer that precisely regulates the energy level at the NiOx/perovskite interface. Complementally, F-PEA post-treatment effectively converts surface residual PbI2 clusters into a 2D perovskite capping layer, which simultaneously passivates surface defects and enhances energy-level alignment at the perovskite/C60 interface. Consequently, the optimized NiOx-based TSP p-i-n PSCs achieve a notable PCE of 25.6% with superior operational stability. This study elucidates the underlying mechanisms limiting the efficiency of TSP p-i-n PSCs, while establishing design principles for these devices targeting 26% efficiency.

Nano-Micro Letters2026DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01978-9

Bright Sparks of Single-Atom and Nano-Islands in Catalysis: Breaking Activity-Stability Trade-Off

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are among the most cutting-edge catalysts in the multiphase catalysis track due to their unique geometrical and electronic properties, the highest atom utilization efficiency, and uniform active sites. SACs have been facing an unresolved problem in practical applications: the opposing contradiction of activity-stability. The successful development of single-atom nano-islands (SANIs) cleverly combines the ultra-high atom utilization efficiency of SACs with the confinement effect and structural stability of nano-island structures, realizing the “moving but not aggregation” of SACs, which fundamentally solves this inherent contradiction. Although research on the precise loading of single atoms on nano-islands continues to advance, existing reviews have not yet established a closed-loop cognitive framework encompassing “models-synthesis-high stability mechanisms-high activity essence-applications.” This work fills this critical gap by systematically integrating the basic conceptual models and cutting-edge synthesis strategies of SANIs, focusing on revealing the underlying mechanisms by which SANIs overcome the stability bottleneck of SACs, elucidating the role of nano-islands and their synergistic mechanisms to clarify the high activity essence, and establishing the structure–activity relationship between atomic confinement effects and macroscopic performance, ultimately achieving breakthrough validation across catalytic systems. This review aims to open new perspectives, drive a paradigm shift in understanding the multi-dimensional advantages of SANIs, and thereby spur breakthrough progress in this frontier field.

Nano-Micro Letters2026DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01986-9

Rational Design and Functionalization of Melt Electrowritten 4D Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications

Melt electrowriting (MEW) enables the precise deposition of polymeric fibers at micro-/nanoscale, allowing for the fabrication of 3D biomimetic scaffolds. By incorporating stimuli-responsive polymers and/or functional fillers, MEW-based 4D printing creates scaffolds capable of undergoing controlled, reversible shape transformations in response to external stimuli over time. These dynamic 4D scaffolds can be tailored for minimally invasive delivery, remote actuation, and real-time responsiveness to physiological environments, making them highly relevant for biomedical applications. This review systematically elucidates the principles of MEW-based 4D printing, including material considerations, actuation methods, and structure design strategies, along with shape programming and morphing mechanisms. The versatility of MEW for rational fabrication of biomimetic scaffolds is firstly introduced. Subsequently, the critical elements underpinning MEW-based 4D printing process are overviewed, including an analysis of stimuli-responsive materials compatible with MEW, an evaluation of applicable external stimuli, and a discussion on the advancements in design strategies for 4D scaffolds. Recent progress of MEW 4D scaffolds for applications in tissue engineering, biomedical implants, and drug delivery systems are highlighted. Finally, key challenges and perspectives toward material innovation, fabrication optimization, and actuation control are discussed. This review aims to provide valuable insights for design and creation of multifunctional biomimetic dynamic scaffolds by MEW-based 4D printing.

Nano-Micro Letters2026DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01982-z

TENG-Based Self-Powered Silent Speech Recognition Interface: from Assistive Communication to Immersive AR/VR Interaction

Lip language provides a silent, intuitive, and efficient mode of communication, offering a promising solution for individuals with speech impairments. Its articulation relies on complex movements of the jaw and the muscles surrounding it. However, the accurate and real-time acquisition and decoding of these movements into reliable silent speech signals remains a significant challenge. In this work, we propose a real-time silent speech recognition system, which integrates a triboelectric nanogenerator-based flexible pressure sensor (FPS) with a deep learning framework. The FPS employs a porous pyramid–structured silicone film as the negative triboelectric layer, enabling highly sensitive pressure detection in the low-force regime (1 V N−1 for 0–10 N and 4.6 V N−1 for 10–24 N). This allows it to precisely capture jaw movements during speech and convert them into electrical signals. To decode the signals, we proposed a convolutional neural network-long short-term memory (CNN–LSTM) hybrid network, combining CNN and LSTM model to extract both local spatial features and temporal dynamics. The model achieved 95.83% classification accuracy in 30 categories of daily words. Furthermore, the decoded silent speech signals can be directly translated into executable commands for contactless and precise control of the smartphone. The system can also be connected to AR glasses, offering a novel human–machine interaction approach with promising potential in AR/VR applications.

Nano-Micro Letters2026DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01981-0

Dynamic Radiative Cooling: Mechanisms, Strategies, and Applications for Smart Thermal Management

As an emerging thermal management strategy, dynamic radiative cooling (DRC) technology enables dynamic modulation of spectral radiation properties under varying environmental conditions through the directional design of material spectral characteristics. However, a comprehensive review of the basic physical mechanisms of radiative heat transfer in DRC materials and various design principles involved in dynamic radiative thermal regulation is still lacking. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in this field, spanning from fundamental physical principles to intrinsic molecular and electronic mechanisms, and further to representative material systems and multi-band regulation strategies, highlighting the interdisciplinary research achievements and technological innovations. This work outlines the core mechanisms governing the regulation of different spectral bands during radiative heat transfer processes. Then, the main categories of DRC materials are systematically reviewed, including actively responsive structures, passively responsive structures, and multi-stimuli-responsive materials. Furthermore, the challenges faced by current DRC technology and future development trends are summarized and discussed, providing valuable reference and guidance for further research in this field. Although DRC technologies still face significant challenges in material stability, manufacturing processes, and system integration, the continuous advances in related areas and multifunctional materials are expected to broaden the application prospects of DRC in the future.

Nano-Micro Letters2026DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-02001-x

Biomimetic Gradient Lubrication Hydrogel Contrived by Self-Reinforced MOFs Nanoparticle Network

The development of gradient lubrication materials is critical for numerous biomedical applications, particularly in magnifying mechanical properties and service longevity. Herein, we present an innovative approach to fabricate biomimetic gradient lubrication hydrogel through the synergistic integration of three-dimensional (3D) printed metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) nanoparticle network hydrogel skeletons with bio-inspired lubrication design. Specifically, robust hydrogel skeletons were engineered through single or multi-material 3D printing, followed by the in situ growth of MOFs nanoparticles within this hydrogel network to create a reinforced, load-bearing architecture. Subsequently, biomimetic lubrication capability was enabled by mechanically coupling another lubricating hydrogel within 3D-printed MOFs nanoparticle network hydrogel skeleton. The superficial layer is highly lubricious to ensure low coefficient of friction (~ 0.1141) and wear resistance (40,000 cycles), while the deeper layer is stiffer to afford the obligatory mechanical support (fracture strength ~ 2.50 MPa). Furthermore, the gradient architecture stiffness of the hydrogel can be modulated by manipulating the spatial distribution of MOFs within the 3D-printed hydrogel skeleton. As a proof-of-concept, biomimetic gradient hydrogel meniscus structures with C- and O-shaped configurations were constructed by leveraging multi-material 3D printing, demonstrating exceptional lubrication performance. This innovative biomimetic design opens new avenues for creating implantable biomedical gradient lubricating materials with reinforced mechanical and lubrication performance.

Nano-Micro Letters2026DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01901-2

BaTiO3 Nanoparticle-Induced Interfacial Electric Field Optimization in Chloride Solid Electrolytes for 4.8 V All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries

Chloride-based solid electrolytes are considered promising candidates for next-generation high-energy–density all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). However, their relatively low oxidative decomposition threshold (~4.2 V vs. Li+/Li) constrains their use in ultrahigh-voltage systems (e.g., 4.8 V). In this work, ferroelectric BaTiO3 (BTO) nanoparticles with optimized thickness of ~50–100 nm were successfully coated onto Li2.5Y0.5Zr0.5Cl6 (LYZC@5BTO) electrolytes using a time-efficient ball-milling process. The nanoparticle-induced interfacial ionic conduction enhancement mechanism contributed to the preservation of LYZC's high ionic conductivity, which remained at 1.06 mS cm−1 for LYZC@5BTO. Furthermore, this surface electric field engineering strategy effectively mitigates the voltage-induced self-decomposition of chloride-based solid electrolytes, suppresses parasitic interfacial reactions with single-crystal NCM811 (SCNCM811), and inhibits the irreversible phase transition of SCNCM811. Consequently, the cycling stability of LYZC under high-voltage conditions (4.8 V vs. Li⁺/Li) is significantly improved. Specifically, ASSB cells employing LYZC@5BTO exhibited a superior discharge capacity of 95.4 mAh g−1 over 200 cycles at 1 C, way outperforming cell using pristine LYZC that only shows a capacity of 55.4 mAh g−1. Furthermore, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that Metal-O-Cl by-products from cumulative interfacial side reactions accounted for 6% of the surface species initially, rising to 26% after 200 cycles in pristine LYZC. In contrast, LYZC@5BTO limited this increase to only 14%, confirming the effectiveness of BTO in stabilizing the interfacial chemistry. This electric field modulation strategy offers a promising route toward the commercialization of high-voltage solid-state electrolytes and energy-dense ASSBs.

Journal of Central South University2026DOI: 10.1007/s11771-026-6237-y

Precise mineral phase transformation and separation utilization technology for ferromanganese ore

Intergrown ferromanganese ore resources are typical strategic mineral resources with huge reserves and abundant hematite, pyrolusite, and other valuable minerals, which is of great significance for its development and utilization. This paper adopts a combination of phase transformation and magnetic separation to explore the phase transformation mechanism of Fe minerals and Mn minerals during the roasting process. The analysis of the properties of the raw ore shows that the Fe-containing and Mn-containing minerals of the intergrown ferromanganese ore are hematite and pyrolusite, respectively. The optimal conditions for controlling the mineral phase were obtained, including roasting temperature of 600 ℃ for 30 min, and a grinding fineness of <0.074 mm accounting for 50%. Meanwhile, a Fe grade of 61.05% with a recovery of 80.77%, and a Mn grade of 61.60% with a recovery of 87.81% were acquired. The precise mineral phase transformation (MPT) could be realized via adjusting the roasting conditions. Hematite is transformed into magnetite, while pyrolusite is transformed into manganosite, and then they were effectively separated and concentrated via magnetic separation.

Journal of Central South University2026DOI: 10.1007/s11771-026-6235-0

Selectivity of composite thionocarbamate collector in flotation separation of chalcocite from pyrite in low-alkaline pH pulp

The flotation separation of high pyrite content secondary copper ores faces challenges including elevated pH levels, poor xanthate selectivity, and higher costs associated with its combination with Z-200. In this work, a composite thionocarbamate collector (TJ-215), with low-cost raw materials and a short synthetic route, showed a better selectivity for chalcocite than Z-200 when pH>8. Zeta potential analysis indicated a stronger interaction between TJ-215 and chalcocite. These results were achieved through the synergistic coordination of NH—C=S and C=N—OH in TJ-215 molecule, compared with the single thiourea group, NH—C=S, in Z-200 molecule. At low-alkaline condition, the NH—C=S in TJ-215 formed Cu—S, Cu—N bonds with Cu atoms, and the C=N—OH combined with Cu to form a Cu—O bond. The results of this study provide guidance on the replacement of Z-200 by TJ-215 in the separation of chalcocite from pyrite in weak alkaline conditions.

Journal of Central South University2026DOI: 10.1007/s11771-026-6201-x

Effect of composite stress arches evolution on abutment pressure distribution in repeated mining of close-distance coal seams

Due to the unique geological structure in the Guizhou region, issues such as stress concentration and inefficient resource utilization efficiency arise during repeated mining of close-distance coal seam. This study focuses on the Longfeng Coal Mine in Guizhou, investigating the evolution of stress arches and abutment pressure distribution under repeated mining conditions through similarity simulations, numerical simulations, and theoretical analysis. The study introduces a novel composite stress arch model, which more accurately represents stress evolution under complex mining conditions compared to traditional single arch theories. The model highlights the gradual transformation of a single stress arch into a composite structure, accounting for the increasing complexity of the stress distribution. Based on these evolution characteristics, a mechanical model of composite arches under nonlinear loading was developed. The calculation results and field monitoring data show that after repeated mining, the stop-mining coal pillar width should be optimized between 65 and 70 m. The research reveals the coupling relationship between the evolution of composite arches and the distribution of abutment pressure, which aids in optimizing coal pillar design, enhancing resource recovery rates, and ensuring the stability of roadways and stopes.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01933-8

Surface/Interface Engineering for High-Resolution Micro-/Nano-Photodetectors

Photodetectors can convert light energy into electrical signals, so are widely used in photovoltaics, photon counting, monitoring, and imaging. Photodetectors are easy to prepare high-resolution photochips because of their small size unit integration. However, these photodetector units often exhibit poor photoelectric performance due to material defects and inadequate structures, which greatly limit the functions of devices. Designing modification strategies and micro-/nanostructures can compensate for defects, adjust the bandgap, and develop novel quantum structures, which consequently optimize photovoltaic units and revolutionize optoelectronic devices. Here, this paper aims to comprehensively elaborate on the surface/interface engineering scheme of micro-/nano-photodetectors. It starts from the fundamentals of photodetectors, such as principles, types, and parameters, and describes the influence of material selection, manufacturing techniques, and post-processing. Then, we analyse in detail the great influence of surface/interface engineering on the performance of photovoltaic devices, including surface/interface modification and micro-/nanostructural design. Finally, the applications and prospects of optoelectronic devices in various fields such as miniaturization of electronic devices, robotics, and human–computer interaction are shown.

International Journal of Mining Science and Technology2026DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.11.003

Towards sustainable lunar habitats with ISRU in Chang’E mission: Mechanical–energy evolution and damage mechanisms of LPBF-printed lunar regolith simulate

Targeting Chang’E-8 mission’ in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) for sustainable lunar habitats, laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) provides a viable pathway for in-situ additive manufacturing of lunar regolith. To elucidate mission relevant mechanical behavior and failure mechanisms of LPBF fabricated lunar regolith simulants, mare type and highland type simulant specimens were produced. Microstructural characterization, mechanical test coupled with three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC), and an energy-dissipation framework were employed for comprehensive analysis. The pristine highland specimens achieved 5.79 MPa and a peak strain of 0.13 (50 mm × 50 mm × 30 mm), significantly outperforming their mare counterparts. Wire-cutting to 20 mm × 20 mm × 20 mm lowered strength by ∼ 20% and peak strain to 0.04, indicating cutting-induced defects reduce ductility. All specimens displayed multi-peaked stress–strain curves. 3D-DIC revealed band-type strain localization in pristine highland samples, diffuse strain patterns in cut highland samples, and highly tortuous, network-type bands in mare samples; the anisotropy index was also quantified. Fragmented particles exhibited fractal dimensions ranging from 1.6 to 2.0 (size 1.25–9 mm). Energy evolution progressed through three distinct stages: elastic energy storage, progressive energy dissipation delaying crack propagation, and final unstable collapse. An energy-based damage model was established and validated. The data and methods developed support Chang’E-8 missions’ ISRU demonstrations and establish a transferable framework toward sustainable lunar habitats.

International Journal of Mining Science and Technology2026DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.10.009

Long-term creep of Beishan granite under uniaxial compression

Investigations into the long-term creep behavior of Beishan granite in uniaxial compression were conducted. Four levels of axial stress (60, 70, 87, and 95 MPa) were applied to rock specimens. Contrasting with earlier research, the long-term creep data in this work present a substantial advancement in the time dimension. Except for the sample subjected to 60 MPa axial loading, which did not fail after a loading duration of 1650 d, the specimens under the other three stresses all failed after sustained constant loading durations of 1204, 1023, and 839 d, respectively. A lower envelope of driving stress-ratio for crystalline rocks was obtained, tending towards approximately 0.45 over an infinite time scale. According to the experimental results, as axial stress increases, both the axial strain accumulated in the transient creep process and the strain rate associated with steady-state creep deformation increase exponentially; however, the share of steady-state creep strain remains nearly constant at about 82.53 %. A novel damage-based creep model was put forward. It provides an enhanced depiction of the comprehensive creep process in rocks, notably improving the accuracy in forecasting the accelerated creep phase, which significantly impacts the long-term stability of engineering structures.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01834-w

Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Conductive Hydrogel Dressings for Refractory Wounds Monitoring

Refractory wounds cause significant harm to the health of patients and the most common treatments in clinical practice are surgical debridement and wound dressings. However, certain challenges, including surgical difficulty, lengthy recovery times, and a high recurrence rate persist. Conductive hydrogel dressings with combined monitoring and therapeutic properties have strong advantages in promoting wound healing due to the stimulation of endogenous current on wounds and are the focus of recent advancements. Therefore, this review introduces the mechanism of conductive hydrogel used for wound monitoring and healing, the materials selection of conductive hydrogel dressings used for wound monitoring, focuses on the conductive hydrogel sensor to monitor the output categories of wound status signals, proving invaluable for non-invasive, real-time evaluation of wound condition to encourage wound healing. Notably, the research of artificial intelligence (AI) model based on sensor derived data to predict the wound healing state, AI makes use of this abundant data set to forecast and optimize the trajectory of tissue regeneration and assess the stage of wound healing. Finally, refractory wounds including pressure ulcers, diabetes ulcers and articular wounds, and the corresponding wound monitoring and healing process are discussed in detail. This manuscript supports the growth of clinically linked disciplines and offers motivation to researchers working in the multidisciplinary field of conductive hydrogel dressings.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01816-y

Low Energy Consumption Photoelectric Memristors with Multi-Level Linear Conductance Modulation in Artificial Visual Systems Application

Optical synapses have an ability to perceive and remember visual information, making them expected to provide more intelligent and efficient visual solutions for humans. As a new type of artificial visual sensory devices, photoelectric memristors can fully simulate synaptic performance and have great prospects in the development of biological vision. However, due to the urgent problems of nonlinear conductance and high-energy consumption, its further application in high-precision control scenarios and integration is hindered. In this work, we report an optoelectronic memristor with a structure of TiN/CeO2/ZnO/ITO/Mica, which can achieve minimal energy consumption (187 pJ) at a single pulse (0.5 V, 5 ms). Under the stimulation of continuous pulses, linearity can be achieved up to 99.6%. In addition, the device has a variety of synaptic functions under the combined action of photoelectric, which can be used for advanced vision. By utilizing its typical long-term memory characteristics, we achieved image recognition and long-term memory in a 3×3 synaptic array and further achieved female facial feature extraction behavior with an activation rate of over 92%. Moreover, we also use the linear response characteristic of the device to design and implement the night meeting behavior of autonomous vehicles based on the hardware platform. This work highlights the potential of photoelectric memristors for advancing neuromorphic vision systems, offering a new direction for bionic eyes and visual automation technology.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01788-z

Face-/Edge-Shared 3D Perovskitoid Single Crystals with Suppressed Ion Migration for Stable X-Ray Detector

Although three-dimensional metal halide perovskites are promising candidates for direct X-ray detection, the ion migration of perovskites seriously affects the detector stability. Herein, face-/edge-shared 3D heterometallic glycinate hybrid perovskitoid Pb2CuGly2X4 (Gly = -O2C-CH2-NH2; X = Cl, Br) single crystals (SCs), in which the adjacent lead halide layers are linked by large-sized Cu(Gly)2 pillars, are synthesized in water. The Cu(Gly)2 pillars in combination with face-/edge-shared inorganic skeleton are found able to synergistically suppress the ion migration, delivering a high ion migration activation energy (Ea) of 1.06 eV. The Pb2CuGly2Cl4 SC X-ray detector displays extremely low dark current drift of 1.20 × 10–9 nA mm−1 s−1 V−1 under high electric field (120 V mm−1) and continuous X-ray irradiation (2.86 Gy), and a high sensitivity of 9,250 μC Gy−1 cm−2 is also achieved. More excitingly, the Pb2CuGly2Cl4 nanocrystal can be easily dispersed in water and directly blade-coated on thin-film transistor (TFT) array substrate, and the obtained Pb2CuGly2Cl4-based TFT array detector offers an X-ray imaging capability with spatial resolution of 2.2 lp mm−1.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01808-y

Hydrolysis-Engineered Robust Porous Micron Silicon Anode for High-Energy Lithium-Ion Batteries

Micro-silicon (Si) anode that features high theoretical capacity and fine tap density is ideal for energy-dense lithium-ion batteries. However, the substantial localized mechanical strain caused by the large volume expansion often results in electrode disintegration and capacity loss. Herein, a microporous Si anode with the SiOx/C layer functionalized all-surface and high tap density (~0.65 g cm⁻3) is developed by the hydrolysis-driven strategy that avoids the common use of corrosive etchants and toxic siloxane reagents. The functionalized inner pore with superior structural stability can effectively alleviate the volume change and enhance the electrolyte contact. Simultaneously, the outer particle surface forms a continuous network that prevents electrolyte parasitic decomposition, disperses the interface stress of Si matrix and facilitates electron/ion transport. As a result, the micron-sized Si anode shows only ~9.94 GPa average stress at full lithiation state and delivers an impressive capacity of 901.1 mAh g⁻1 after 500 cycles at 1 A g⁻1. It also performs excellent rate performance of 1123.0 mAh g⁻1 at 5 A g⁻1 and 850.4 at 8 A g⁻1, far exceeding most of reported literatures. Furthermore, when paired with a commercial LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2, the pouch cell demonstrates high capacity and desirable cyclic performance.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01810-4

Regulating the Coordination Environment of H2O in Hydrogel Electrolyte for a High-Environment-Adaptable and High-Stability Flexible Zn Devices

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are promising candidates as stationary storage systems for power-grid applications due to their high safety and low cost. The practical implementation of Zn-ion batteries currently still faces formidable challenges because of Zn dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution, and inadequate environmental adaptability. Herein, to address these challenges, a strategy of regulation of water molecules coordination in electrolyte is proposed via developing a cross-linked hydrophilic hydrogel polymer electrolyte. Within this system, the continuous hydrogen bond among H2O molecules is disrupted and the isolated H2O molecules are strongly bound with a polymeric matrix comprised of polyacrylamide, carboxymethyl cellulose, and ethylene glycol, which can restrain the activity of H2O molecules, thus effectively alleviating Zn dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution and enhancing the anti-freezing ability. With this electrolyte, the Zn||Cu cell presents a high coulombic efficiency of 99.4% over 900 cycles and Zn||Zn symmetric cell exhibits high cycling stability, maintaining plating/stripping for over 1,700 h. Moreover, the assembled Zn||PANI device also demonstrates outstanding electrochemical performance over a wide-temperature range, including a long cycling life over 14,120 cycles at room temperature and an ultralong cycling surpassing 30,000 cycles even at −40 °C. This showcases the manipulation of water coordination chemistry for advanced, highly adaptable batteries.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01797-y

Artificial Intelligence Empowers Solid-State Batteries for Material Screening and Performance Evaluation

Solid-state batteries are widely recognized as the next-generation energy storage devices with high specific energy, high safety, and high environmental adaptability. However, the research and development of solid-state batteries are resource-intensive and time-consuming due to their complex chemical environment, rendering performance prediction arduous and delaying large-scale industrialization. Artificial intelligence serves as an accelerator for solid-state battery development by enabling efficient material screening and performance prediction. This review will systematically examine how the latest progress in using machine learning (ML) algorithms can be used to mine extensive material databases and accelerate the discovery of high-performance cathode, anode, and electrolyte materials suitable for solid-state batteries. Furthermore, the use of ML technology to accurately estimate and predict key performance indicators in the solid-state battery management system will be discussed, among which are state of charge, state of health, remaining useful life, and battery capacity. Finally, we will summarize the main challenges encountered in the current research, such as data quality issues and poor code portability, and propose possible solutions and development paths. These will provide clear guidance for future research and technological reiteration.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01793-2

Mixed-Dimensional Nanowires/Nanosheet Heterojunction of GaSb/Bi2O2Se for Self-Powered Near-Infrared Photodetection and Photocommunication

With high surface-to-volume ratio, the abundant surface states and high carrier concentration are challenging the near-infrared photodetection behaviors of narrow band gap semiconductors nanowires. In this study, the narrow band gap semiconductor of Bi2O2Se nanosheets (NSs) is adopted to construct mixed-dimensional heterojunctions with GaSb nanowires (NWs) for demonstrating the impressive self-powered NIR photodetection. Benefiting from the built-in electric field of ~140 meV, the as-constructed NW/NS mixed-dimensional heterojunction self-powered photodetector shows the low dark current of 0.07 pA, high Ilight/Idark ratio of 82 and fast response times of <2/2 ms at room temperature. The self-powered photodetector performance can be further enhanced by fabricating the NW array/NS mixed-dimensional heterojunction by using a contact printing technique. The excellent photodetection performance promises the as-constructed NW/NS mixed-dimensional heterojunction self-powered photodetector in imaging and photocommunication.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01787-0

MXene-Ti3C2Tx-Based Neuromorphic Computing: Physical Mechanisms, Performance Enhancement, and Cutting-Edge Computing

Neuromorphic devices have shown great potential in simulating the function of biological neurons due to their efficient parallel information processing and low energy consumption. MXene-Ti3C2Tx, an emerging two-dimensional material, stands out as an ideal candidate for fabricating neuromorphic devices. Its exceptional electrical performance and robust mechanical properties make it an ideal choice for this purpose. This review aims to uncover the advantages and properties of MXene-Ti3C2Tx in neuromorphic devices and to promote its further development. Firstly, we categorize several core physical mechanisms present in MXene-Ti3C2Tx neuromorphic devices and summarize in detail the reasons for their formation. Then, this work systematically summarizes and classifies advanced techniques for the three main optimization pathways of MXene-Ti3C2Tx, such as doping engineering, interface engineering, and structural engineering. Significantly, this work highlights innovative applications of MXene-Ti3C2Tx neuromorphic devices in cutting-edge computing paradigms, particularly near-sensor computing and in-sensor computing. Finally, this review carefully compiles a table that integrates almost all research results involving MXene-Ti3C2Tx neuromorphic devices and discusses the challenges, development prospects, and feasibility of MXene-Ti3C2Tx-based neuromorphic devices in practical applications, aiming to lay a solid theoretical foundation and provide technical support for further exploration and application of MXene-Ti3C2Tx in the field of neuromorphic devices.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01791-4

Aramid Nanofiber/MXene-Reinforced Polyelectrolyte Hydrogels for Absorption-Dominated Electromagnetic Interference Shielding and Wearable Sensing

Conductive hydrogels have garnered widespread attention as a versatile class of flexible electronics. Despite considerable advancements, current methodologies struggle to reconcile the fundamental trade-off between high conductivity and effective absorption-dominated electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, as dictated by classical impedance matching theory. This study addresses these limitations by introducing a novel synthesis of aramid nanofiber/MXene-reinforced polyelectrolyte hydrogels. Leveraging the unique properties of polyelectrolytes, this innovative approach enhances ionic conductivity and exploits the hydration effect of hydrophilic polar groups to induce the formation of intermediate water. This critical innovation facilitates polarization relaxation and rearrangement in response to electromagnetic fields, thereby significantly enhancing the EMI shielding effectiveness of hydrogels. The electromagnetic wave attenuation capacity of these hydrogels was thoroughly evaluated across both X-band and terahertz band frequencies, with further investigation into the impact of varying water content states—hydrated, dried, and frozen—on their electromagnetic properties. Moreover, the hydrogels exhibited promising capabilities beyond mere EMI shielding; they also served effectively as strain sensors for monitoring human motions, indicating their potential applicability in wearable electronics. This work provides a new approach to designing multifunctional hydrogels, advancing the integration of flexible, multifunctional materials in modern electronics, with potential applications in both EMI shielding and wearable technology.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01776-3

Efficient Thermally Evaporated Near-Infrared Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes via Phase Regulation

α-phase formamidinium lead triiodide (FAPbI3) has demonstrated extraordinary properties for near-infrared perovskite light-emitting diodes (NIR-PeLEDs). The vacuum processing technique has recently received increasing attention from industry and academia due to its solvent-free feature and compatibility with large-scale production. Nevertheless, vacuum-deposited NIR-PeLEDs have been less studied, and their efficiencies lag far behind those of solution-based PeLEDs as it is still challenging to prepare pure α-FAPbI3 by the thermal evaporation. Herein, we report a Cs-containing triple-source co-evaporation approach to develop the perovskite films. The addition of thermally stable Cs cation fills in the perovskite crystal lattice and eliminates the formation of metallic Pb caused by the degradation of FA cation during the evaporation process. The tri-source co-evaporation strategy significantly promotes the phase transition from yellow δ-phase FAPbI3 to black α-phase FACsPbI3, fostering smooth, uniform, and pinhole-free perovskite films with higher crystallinity and fewer defects. On this basis, the resulting NIR-PeLED based on FACsPbI3 yields a maximum EQE of 10.25%, which is around sixfold higher than that of FAPbI3-based PeLEDs. Our work demonstrates a reliable and effective strategy to achieve α-FAPbI3 via thermal evaporation and paves the pathway toward highly efficient perovskite optoelectronic devices for future commercialization.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01784-3

Critical Bimetallic Phosphide Layer Enables Fast Electron Transfer and Extra Energy Supply for Flexible Quasi-Solid-State Zinc Batteries

Nickel-based cathodes in aqueous nickel-zinc batteries typically suffer from sluggish reaction kinetics and limited energy density. In situ introduction of metal phosphides and rational construction of heterostructures can effectively promote electron/ion transport. However, the complex evolution of phosphidation and intractable phosphidizing degree greatly affect the composition of active phase, active sites, charge transfer rate, and ion adsorption strength of cathodes. Herein, the critical bimetallic phosphide layer (CBPL) is constructed on the NiCo-layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) skeleton by a controllable anion-exchange strategy, yielding a novel nanohybrid cathode (NiCo-P1.0, 1.0 representing the mass ratio of Na2H2PO2 to NiCo-LDH). The high-conductivity CBPL with the inner NiCo-LDH forms extensive heterostructures, effectively regulating the electronic structure via charge transfer, thereby improving electrical conductivity. Remarkably, the CBPL exhibits unexpected electrochemical activity and synergizes with NiCo-LDH for electrode reactions, ultimately delivering extra energy. Benefiting from the bifunctional CBPL, NiCo-P1.0 delivers an optimal capacity of 286.64 mAh g−1 at 1C (1C = 289 mAh g−1) and superb rate performance (a capacity retention of 72.22% at 40C). The assembled NiCo-P1.0//Zn battery achieves ultrahigh energy/power density (503.62 Wh kg−1/18.62 kW kg−1, based on the mass loading of active material on the cathode), and the flexible quasi-solid-state pouch cell validates its practicality. This work demonstrates the superiority of bifunctional CBPL for surface modification, providing an effective and scalable compositing strategy in achieving high-performance cathodes for aqueous batteries.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01735-y

Refining Single-Atom Catalytic Kinetics for Tumor Homologous-Targeted Catalytic Therapy

Single-atom nanozymes (SAzymes) hold significant potential for tumor catalytic therapy, but their effectiveness is often compromised by low catalytic efficiency within tumor microenvironment. This efficiency is mainly influenced by key factors including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) availability, acidity, and temperature. Simultaneous optimization of these key factors presents a significant challenge for tumor catalytic therapy. In this study, we developed a comprehensive strategy to refine single-atom catalytic kinetics for enhancing tumor catalytic therapy through dual-enzyme-driven cascade reactions. Iridium (Ir) SAzymes with high catalytic activity and natural enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx) were utilized to construct the cascade reaction system. GOx was loaded by Ir SAzymes due to its large surface area. Then, the dual-enzyme-driven cascade reaction system was modified by cancer cell membranes for improving biocompatibility and achieving tumor homologous targeting ability. GOx catalysis reaction could produce abundant H2O2 and lower the local pH, thereby optimizing key reaction-limiting factors. Additionally, upon laser irradiation, Ir SAzymes could raise local temperature, further enhancing the catalytic efficiency of dual-enzyme system. This comprehensive optimization maximized the performance of Ir SAzymes, significantly improving the efficiency of catalytic therapy. Our findings present a strategy of refining single-atom catalytic kinetics for tumor homologous-targeted catalytic therapy.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01753-w

AI-Enabled Piezoelectric Wearable for Joint Torque Monitoring

Joint health is critical for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions that are affecting approximately one-third of the global population. Monitoring of joint torque can offer an important pathway for the evaluation of joint health and guided intervention. However, there is no technology that can provide the precision, effectiveness, low-resource setting, and long-term wearability to simultaneously achieve both rapid and accurate joint torque measurement to enable risk assessment of joint injury and long-term monitoring of joint rehabilitation in wider environments. Herein, we propose a piezoelectric boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs)-based, AI-enabled wearable device for regular monitoring of joint torque. We first adopted an iterative inverse design to fabricate the wearable materials with a Poisson’s ratio precisely matched to knee biomechanics. A highly sensitive piezoelectric film was constructed based on BNNTs and polydimethylsiloxane and applied to precisely capture the knee motion, while concurrently realizing self-sufficient energy harvesting. With the help of a lightweight on-device artificial neural network, the proposed wearable device was capable of accurately extracting targeted signals from the complex piezoelectric outputs and then effectively mapping these signals to their corresponding physical characteristics, including torque, angle, and loading. A real-time platform was constructed to demonstrate the capability of fine real-time torque estimation. This work offers a relatively low-cost wearable solution for effective, regular joint torque monitoring that can be made accessible to diverse populations in countries and regions with heterogeneous development levels, potentially producing wide-reaching global implications for joint health, MSK conditions, ageing, rehabilitation, personal health, and beyond.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01720-5

Probing Interfacial Nanostructures of Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems by In-Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy

The ability to control the electrode interfaces in an electrochemical energy storage system is essential for achieving the desired electrochemical performance. However, achieving this ability requires an in-depth understanding of the detailed interfacial nanostructures of the electrode under electrochemical operating conditions. In-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is one of the most powerful techniques for revealing electrochemical energy storage mechanisms with high spatiotemporal resolution and high sensitivity in complex electrochemical environments. These attributes play a unique role in understanding how ion transport inside electrode nanomaterials and across interfaces under the dynamic conditions within working batteries. This review aims to gain an in-depth insight into the latest developments of in-situ TEM imaging techniques for probing the interfacial nanostructures of electrochemical energy storage systems, including atomic-scale structural imaging, strain field imaging, electron holography, and integrated differential phase contrast imaging. Significant examples will be described to highlight the fundamental understanding of atomic-scale and nanoscale mechanisms from employing state-of-the-art imaging techniques to visualize structural evolution, ionic valence state changes, and strain mapping, ion transport dynamics. The review concludes by providing a perspective discussion of future directions of the development and application of in-situ TEM techniques in the field of electrochemical energy storage systems.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01746-9

Single-Crystal Diamond Nanowires Embedded with Platinum Nanoparticles for High-Temperature Solar-Blind Photodetector

Diamond, an ultrawide-bandgap semiconductor material, is promising for solar-blind ultraviolet photodetectors in extreme environments. However, when exposed to high-temperature conditions, diamond photodetector surfaces are unavoidably terminated with oxygen, leading to low photoresponsivity. To address this limitation, single-crystalline diamond nanowires (DNWs) embedded with platinum (Pt) nanoparticles were developed using Pt film deposition followed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) homoepitaxial growth. During the CVD, Pt nanoparticles (approximately 20 nm in diameter) undergo dewetting and become uniformly embedded within the single-crystalline DNWs. Photodetectors fabricated with these Pt nanoparticles-embedded DNWs achieve a responsivity of 68.5 A W−1 under 220 nm illumination at room temperature, representing an improvement of approximately 2000 times compared to oxygen-terminated bulk diamond devices. Notably, the responsivity further increases with temperature, reaching an exceptional value of 3098.7 A W−1 at 275 °C. This outstanding performance is attributed to the synergistic effects of the one-dimensional nanowire structure, deep-level defects, the localized surface plasmon resonance effects induced by embedded Pt nanoparticles, and localized Schottky junctions at the Pt/diamond interface, which enhance optical absorption, carrier generation, and separation efficiency. These results highlight the significant potential of Pt nanoparticles-embedded DNWs for advanced deep ultraviolet detection in harsh environments, including aerospace, industrial monitoring, and other applications.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01728-x

Muscle-Inspired Anisotropic Aramid Nanofibers Aerogel Exhibiting High-Efficiency Thermoelectric Conversion and Precise Temperature Monitoring for Firefighting Clothing

Enhancing the firefighting protective clothing with exceptional thermal barrier and temperature sensing functions to ensure high fire safety for firefighters has long been anticipated, but it remains a major challenge. Herein, inspired by the human muscle, an anisotropic fire safety aerogel (ACMCA) with precise self-actuated temperature monitoring performance is developed by combining aramid nanofibers with eicosane/MXene to form an anisotropically oriented conductive network. By combining the two synergies of the negative temperature-dependent thermal conductive eicosane, which induces a high-temperature differential, and directionally ordered MXene that establishes a conductive network along the directional freezing direction. The resultant ACMCA exhibited remarkable thermoelectric properties, with S values reaching 46.78 μV K−1 and κ values as low as 0.048 W m−1 K−1 at room temperature. Moreover, the prepared anisotropic aerogel ACMCA exhibited electrical responsiveness to temperature variations, facilitating its application in intelligent temperature monitoring systems. The designed anisotropic aerogel ACMCA could be incorporated into the firefighting clothing as a thermal barrier layer, demonstrating a wide temperature sensing range (50–400 °C) and a rapid response time for early high-temperature alerts (~1.43 s). This work provides novel insights into the design and application of temperature-sensitive anisotropic aramid nanofibers aerogel in firefighting clothing.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01713-4

Selective Emission Fabric for Indoor and Outdoor Passive Radiative Cooling in Personal Thermal Management

Radiative cooling fabric creates a thermally comfortable environment without energy input, providing a sustainable approach to personal thermal management. However, most currently reported fabrics mainly focus on outdoor cooling, ignoring to achieve simultaneous cooling both indoors and outdoors, thereby weakening the overall cooling performance. Herein, a full-scale structure fabric with selective emission properties is constructed for simultaneous indoor and outdoor cooling. The fabric achieves 94% reflectance performance in the sunlight band (0.3–2.5 µm) and 6% in the mid-infrared band (2.5–25 µm), effectively minimizing heat absorption and radiation release obstruction. It also demonstrates 81% radiative emission performance in the atmospheric window band (8–13 µm) and 25% radiative transmission performance in the mid-infrared band (2.5–25 μm), providing 60 and 26 W m−2 net cooling power outdoors and indoors. In practical applications, the fabric achieves excellent indoor and outdoor human cooling, with temperatures 1.4–5.5 °C lower than typical polydimethylsiloxane film. This work proposes a novel design for the advanced radiative cooling fabric, offering significant potential to realize sustainable personal thermal management.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01677-5

Quantum Dots Mediated Crystallization Enhancement in Two-Step Processed Perovskite Solar Cells

Hybrid organic–inorganic lead halide perovskites have emerged as a promising material for high-efficiency solar cells, yet challenges related to crystallization and defects limit their performance and stability. This study investigates the use of perovskite quantum dots (QDs) as crystallization seeds to enhance the quality of FAPbI3 perovskite films and improve the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). We demonstrate that CsPbI3 and CsPbBr3 QDs effectively guide the crystallization process, leading to the formation of larger crystals with preferential orientations, particularly the (001) and (002) planes, which are associated with reduced defect densities. This seed-mediated growth strategy resulted in PSCs with power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 24.75% and 24.11%, respectively, compared to the baseline efficiency of 22.05% for control devices. Furthermore, devices incorporating QD-treated perovskite films exhibited remarkable stability, maintaining over 80% of their initial PCE after 1000 h of simulated sunlight exposure, a significant improvement over the control. Detailed optoelectronic characterization revealed reduced non-radiative recombination and enhanced charge transport in QD-treated devices. These findings highlight the potential of QDs as a powerful tool to improve perovskite crystallization, facet orientation, and overall device performance, offering a promising route to enhance both efficiency and stability in PSCs.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-024-01600-4

Tailoring the Reversible Phase Transition of Perovskite Nanofiber Electrodes for High-Performance and Durable Reversible Solid Oxide Cells

Reversible solid oxide cells (RSOCs) are capable of converting various energy resources, between electricity and chemical fuels, with high efficiency and flexibility, making them suitable for grid balancing and renewable energy consumption. However, the practical application of RSOCs is still limited by the insufficient activity and stability of the electrodes in different operating modes. Herein, a highly efficient symmetrical electrode composed of La0.3Sr0.6Ti0.1Co0.2Fe0.7O3−δ (LSTCF) nanofibers and in situ exsolved Co3Fe7 nanoparticles is developed for boosting the performance of RSOCs. The reversible phase transition, high activity and stability of the electrode have been confirmed by a combination of experimental (e.g., transmission electron microscopy and X-ray absorption fine structure) and computational studies. Electrolyte-supported RSOCs with the symmetrical electrode demonstrate excellent catalytic activity and stability, achieving a high peak power density of 0.98 W cm−2 in the fuel cell mode using H2 as the fuel (or 0.53 W cm−2 using CH4 as the fuel) and a high current density of 1.09 A cm−2 at 1.4 V in the CO2 electrolysis mode (or 1.03 A cm−2 at 1.3 V for H2O electrolysis) at 800 °C while maintaining excellent durability for over 100 h.

International Journal of Mining Science and Technology2025DOI: 10.1038/sino-451943

Hydrogen-Enriched Direct Reduced Iron (H2-DRI) and Underground Coal Gasification: Decarbonization Pathways in Northern China's Heavy Industrial Clusters

Northern China's steel heartland—Hebei, Shanxi, and Inner Mongolia—produces over 600 million metric tons of crude steel annually, nearly 60% of global output, with an average CO2 intensity of 1.8 tCO2/tsteel from BF-BOF routes. The region faces a dual imperative: comply with China's 2030 carbon peak and preempt the EU CBAM, which imposes a $90/tCO2 levy on steel imports by 2026. This report dissects the technical and economic viability of two interlocking decarbonization levers: hydrogen-enriched direct reduced iron (H2-DRI) using vertical shaft furnaces and underground coal gasification (UCG) with CCUS. Pilot data from HBIS Xuansteel's 1.2 Mtpa H2-DRI plant—the world's largest—reveals that hydrogen injection above 60% triggers severe sticking of iron ore pellets, causing pressure drops and scaffold formation, while endothermic reduction kinetics demand supplemental electrical heating, raising energy costs by 15-20%. UCG syngas, with a levelized cost of $0.35/Nm3, offers a bridge feedstock, but its carbon footprint (0.6 tCO2/tsteel pre-CCUS) requires 90% capture to meet CBAM thresholds. The economic table shows that 100% green H2-DRI, at an LCOH of $1.80/kg, yields a production cost of $420/tsteel, versus $380/tsteel for syngas-UCG DRI with CCUS, but the former avoids CBAM penalties entirely. Capital replacement cycles for BF-BOF (20-25 years) versus H2-DRI (15-20 years) force a strategic reckoning: retrofitting existing assets versus greenfield investments. The report concludes that no single pathway dominates; a portfolio approach, leveraging UCG syngas as a transitional feedstock and scaling green hydrogen as costs decline, is the only pragmatic route for the region's industrial clusters.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01655-x

Understanding the Decoupled Effects of Cations and Anions Doping for High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells

The past decade has witnessed the rapid increasement in power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, serious ion migration hampers their operational stability. Although dopants composed of varied cations and anions are introduced into perovskite to suppress ion migration, the impact of cations or anions is not individually explored, which hinders the evaluation of different cations and further application of doping strategy. Here we report that a special group of sulfonic anions (like CF3SO3−) successfully introduce alkaline earth ions (like Ca2+) into perovskite lattice compared to its halide counterparts. Furthermore, with effective crystallization regulation and defect passivation of sulfonic anions, perovskite with Ca(CF3SO3)2 shows reduced PbI2 residue and metallic Pb0 defects; thereby, corresponding PSCs show an enhanced PCE of 24.95%. Finally by comparing the properties of perovskite with Ca(CF3SO3)2 and FACF3SO3, we found that doped Ca2+ significantly suppressed halide migration with an activation energy of 1.246 eV which accounts for the improved operational stability of Ca(CF3SO3)2-doped PSCs, while no obvious impact of Ca2+ on trap density is observed. Combining the benefits of cations and anions, this study presents an effective method to decouple the effects of cations and anions and fabricate efficient and stable PSCs.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01670-y

Thin and Flexible Breeze-Sense Generators for Non-Contact Haptic Feedback in Virtual Reality

In the realm of virtual reality (VR), haptic feedback is integral to enhance the immersive experience; yet, existing wearable devices predominantly rely on skin contact feedback, lacking options for compact and non-contact breeze-sense feedback. Herein, we propose a compact and non-contact working model piezoelectret actuator for providing a gentle and safe breeze sensation. This easy-fabricated and flexible breeze-sense generator with thickness around 1 mm generates air flow pressure up to ~163 Pa, which is significantly sensed by human skin. In a typical demonstration, the breeze-sense generators array showcases its versatility by employing multiple coded modes for non-contact information transmitting. The thin thinness and good flexibility facilitate seamless integration with wearable VR setups, and the wearable arrays empower volunteers to precisely perceive the continuous and sudden breeze senses in the virtual environments. This work is expected to inspire developing new haptic feedback devices that play pivotal roles in human–machine interfaces for VR applications.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01659-7

Electromagnetic Functions Modulation of Recycled By-Products by Heterodimensional Structure

One of the significant technological challenges in safeguarding electronic devices pertains to the modulation of electromagnetic (EM) wave jamming and the recycling of defensive shields. The synergistic effect of heterodimensional materials can effectively enable the manipulation of EM waves by altering the nanostructure. Here we propose a novel approach for upcycling by-products of silver nanowires that can fabricate shape-tunable aerogels which enable the modulation of its interaction with microwaves by heterodimensional structure of by-products. By-product heterodimensionality was used to design EM-wave-jamming-dissipation structures and therefore two typical tunable aerogel forms were studied. The first tunable form was aerogel film, which shielded EM interference (EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) > 89 dB) and the second tunable form was foam, which performed dual EM functions (SE > 30 dB & reflective loss (RL) < -35 dB, effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) > 6.7 GHz). We show that secondary recycled aerogels retain nearly all of their EM protection properties, making this type of closed-loop cycle an appealing option. Our findings pave the way for the development of adaptive EM functions with nanoscale regulation in a green and closed-loop cycle, and they shed light on the fundamental understanding of microwave interactions with heterodimensional structures.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01649-9

Zn(TFSI)2-Mediated Ring-Opening Polymerization for Electrolyte Engineering Toward Stable Aqueous Zinc Metal Batteries

Practical Zn metal batteries have been hindered by several challenges, including Zn dendrite growth, undesirable side reactions, and unstable electrode/electrolyte interface. These issues are particularly more serious in low-concentration electrolytes. Herein, we design a Zn salt-mediated electrolyte with in situ ring-opening polymerization of the small molecule organic solvent. The Zn(TFSI)2 salt catalyzes the ring-opening polymerization of (1,3-dioxolane (DOL)), generating oxidation-resistant and non-combustible long-chain polymer (poly(1,3-dioxolane) (pDOL)). The pDOL reduces the active H2O molecules in electrolyte and assists in forming stable organic–inorganic gradient solid electrolyte interphase with rich organic constituents, ZnO and ZnF2. The introduction of pDOL endows the electrolyte with several advantages: excellent Zn dendrite inhibition, improved corrosion resistance, widened electrochemical window (2.6 V), and enhanced low-temperature performance (freezing point = −34.9 °C). Zn plating/stripping in pDOL-enhanced electrolyte lasts for 4200 cycles at 99.02% Coulomb efficiency and maintains a lifetime of 8200 h. Moreover, Zn metal anodes deliver stable cycling for 2500 h with a high Zn utilization of 60%. A Zn//VO2 pouch cell assembled with lean electrolyte (electrolyte/capacity (E/C = 41 mL (Ah)−1) also demonstrates a capacity retention ratio of 92% after 600 cycles. These results highlight the promising application prospects of practical Zn metal batteries enabled by the Zn(TFSI)2-mediated electrolyte engineering.

Nano-Micro Letters2025DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01653-z

Comprehensive Chlorine Suppression: Advances in Materials and System Technologies for Direct Seawater Electrolysis

Seawater electrolysis offers a promising pathway to generate green hydrogen, which is crucial for the net-zero emission targets. Indirect seawater electrolysis is severely limited by high energy demands and system complexity, while the direct seawater electrolysis bypasses pre-treatment, offering a simpler and more cost-effective solution. However, the chlorine evolution reaction and impurities in the seawater lead to severe corrosion and hinder electrolysis’s efficiency. Herein, we review recent advances in the rational design of chlorine-suppressive catalysts and integrated electrolysis systems architectures for chloride-induced corrosion, with simultaneous enhancement of Faradaic efficiency and reduction of electrolysis’s cost. Furthermore, promising directions are proposed for durable and efficient seawater electrolysis systems. This review provides perspectives for seawater electrolysis toward sustainable energy conversion and environmental protection.

Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)2025DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.09.009

Potential failure mechanism of low-angle submarine landslides in shelf-slope break of Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea

Low-angle submarine landslides pose a greater threat to offshore infrastructure compared to those with steep sliding angles. Understanding the preparation and triggering mechanism of these low-angle submarine landslides remains a significant challenge. This study focuses on a deformed low-angle submarine landslide in the shelf-slope break of the Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea, integrating sedimentology, geophysics, and geotechnology to investigate potential failure mechanisms. The architecture and deformation characteristics of the submarine landslide were elucidated by analyzing multibeam and seismic data. Within the context of the regional geological history and tectonic framework, this study focuses on the factors (e.g., rapid sedimentation, fluid activity, and earthquakes) that potentially contributed to the submarine slope failure. Furthermore, a series of stability evaluations considering the effects of rapid sedimentation and earthquakes was conducted. Our findings indicate that the most probable triggering mechanism involves the combined effects of sedimentation controlled by sea-level fluctuations, high-pressure gas activity, and seismic events. The high-pressure gas, which acts as a long-term preconditioning factor by elevating pore pressures and reducing shear resistance within the sediment, accumulated beneath the upper and middle sections of the low-permeability stratum that was formed during sea-level rise and ultimately evolved into the sliding mass. The overpressure generated by gas accumulation predisposed the submarine slope to instability, and a frequent or moderate earthquake ultimately initiated local failure. This study enhances the mechanistic understanding of low-angle slope failures in the shelf-slope break zone and provides critical insights for assessing marine hazard risks.

New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2026-41-03-08)

3D-printed Ti/graphene composite current collectors for high-voltage aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have significant promise as large-scale energy storage devices due to their high safety, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, their application has been constrained by limited operational voltage windows. A high-voltage-resistant Ti-graphene-Ti cathode current collector (TGT) was designed and fabricated by three-dimensional (3D) printing. The surface of the TGT has a TixOy protective layer, which effectively suppresses electrolyte decomposition under high voltage conditions so that the voltage window of the battery is extended to 1.0–2.2 V without the obvious formation of by-products. Simultaneously, the graphene layer in the TGT structure significantly improves the adsorption and insertion/extraction kinetics of cations, resulting in a high specific capacity of 307.5 mAh g−1 and a prolonged cycling life of the battery. The resultant AZIBs have a stable charge/discharge performance over 400 cycles at a high voltage. Furthermore, the influence of the geometric arrangements of Ti and graphene in the 3D printing process on the energy storage mechanism was investigated and provided novel insight for the development of high-voltage-resistant composite cathode current collectors for AZIBs.

New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2024-39-06-08)

Electromagnetic wave absorption performance of Fe3O4/activated carbon-natural resin nanocomposite

There has recently been a fundamental need to develop high efficiency microwave absorbers to reduce electromagnetic pollution. It is often very difficult to obtain superior absorption with only one material, so we have explored composites using fillers of activated carbon derived from biological material (oleaster seeds) and resin (apricot tree gum) with Fe3O4 in a paraffin wax matrix to improve the dielectric properties and achieve a high specific surface area. A 1 mm thick layer of a Fe3O4 + resin (FEOR), with the magnetic nanoparticles anchored to the gum, resulted in a reflection loss of −71.09 dB. We compared this with the results for composites using a filler of Fe3O4 + activated carbon, and one with a three-component filler of Fe3O4 + activated carbon + resin which had a very porous structure that had a direct effect on the surface polarization. However, the FEOR sample had near-ideal impedance matching, close to 1, which resulted in high absorption performance. In addition, the presence of defects improves microwave attenuation by dipole polarization and charge carrier trapping. This work suggests the use of new types of biomaterials to increase microwave absorption.

New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2024-39-06-03)

A review of petroleum asphalt-based carbon materials in electrochemical energy storage

Petroleum asphalt, an important by-product of the petrochemical industry, has diverse applications but often suffers from low industrial added value. Because of its low cost, high carbon content, and high polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content, appropriate modification can increase its value and expand its energy storage applications. Current research progress on the common preparation methods of petroleum asphalt-based carbon materials, including template-assisted pyrolysis, molten salt treatment, activation, heteroatom doping, and pre-oxidation is reviewed, and its use in supercapacitors and alkali metal ion batteries, is also elaborated. Feasible solutions for the current problems with petroleum asphalt are proposed, with the aim of providing insights into its high value-added utilization.

New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2024-39-05-10)

The effect of the carbon components on the performance of carbon-based transition metal electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a promising way to produce hydrogen, and the use of non-precious metals with an excellent electrochemical performance is vital for this. Carbon-based transition metal catalysts have high activity and stability, which are important in reducing the cost of hydrogen production and promoting the development of the hydrogen production industry. However, there is a lack of discussion regarding the effect of carbon components on the performance of these electrocatalysts. This review of the literature discusses the choice of the carbon components in these catalysts and their impact on catalytic performance, including electronic structure control by heteroatom doping, morphology adjustment, and the influence of self-supporting materials. It not only analyzes the progress in HER, but also provides guidance for synthesizing high-performance carbon-based transition metal catalysts.

New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2024-39-05-07)

The application of metal–organic frameworks and their derivatives for lithium-ion capacitors

There is an urgent need for lithium-ion capacitors (LICs) that have both high energy and high power densities to meet the continuously growing energy storage demands. LICs effectively balance the high energy density of traditional rechargeable batteries with the superior power density and long life of supercapacitors (SCs). Nevertheless, the development of LICs is still hampered by limited kinetic processes and capacity mismatch between the cathode and anode. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives have received significant attention because of their extensive specific surface area, different pore structures and topologies, and customizable functional sites, making them compelling candidate materials for achieving high-performance LICs. MOF-derived carbons, known for their exceptional electronic conductivity and large surface area, provide improved charge storage and rapid ion transport. MOF-derived transition metal oxides contribute to high specific capacities and improved electrochemical stability. Additionally, MOF-derived metal compounds/carbons provide combined effects that increase both the capacitive and Faradaic reactions, leading to a superior overall performance. The review begins with an overview of the fundamental principles of LICs, followed by an exploration of synthesis strategies and ligand selection for MOF-based composite materials. It then analyzes the advantages of original MOFs and their derived materials, such as carbon materials and metal compounds, in enhancing LIC performance. Finally, the review discusses the major challenges faced by MOFs and their derivatives in LIC applications and offers future research directions and recommendations.

New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2024-39-04-01)

A review of the catalytic preparation of mesophase pitch

Because of its high purity and excellent orientation, mesophase pitch is a superior precursor for high-performance carbon materials. However, the preparation of top-notch mesophase pitch faces challenges. Catalytic polycondensation at low temperatures is more favorable for synthesizing mesophase pitch, because it circumvents the high-temperature free radical reaction of other thermal polycondensation approaches. The reaction is gentle and can be easily controlled. It has the potential to significantly improve the yield of mesophase pitch and easily introduce naphthenic characteristics into the molecules, catalytic polycondensation is therefore a preferred method of synthesizing highly spinnable mesophase pitch. This review provides a synopsis of the selective pretreatment of the raw materials to prepare different mesophase pitches, and explains the reaction mechanism and associated research advances for different catalytic systems in recent years. Finally, how to manufacture high-quality mesophase pitch by using a catalyst-promoter system is summarized and proposed, which may provide a theoretical basis for the future design of high-quality pitch molecules.

New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2024-39-03-01)

A review of the synthesis, characterization, and mechanism of bimetallic catalysts for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction

The electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is an environmentally friendly way to convert CO2 into valuable chemicals. However, CO2 conversion is a complex process, which contains 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 electron transfer processes. It is very important to develop efficient catalysts to precisely control the number of electron transfers for the chemicals required. Single-metal catalysts have some deficiencies, including slow reaction kinetics, low product selectivity and inadequate stability. In response to these challenges, bimetallic catalysts have received significant attention owing to their unique structure and improved performance. The introduction of secondary metals alters the catalyst’s electronic structure, and creates novel active sites, as well as optimizing their interaction with the intermediates. This review provides a comprehensive account of atomically distributed bimetals based on carbon materials and non-atomic distributed bimetals such as alloys and heterostructures, including their synthesis methods, characterization, and the outcomes of different catalysts. Catalytic mechanisms of different bimetallic catalysts are proposed and challenges encountered in the CO2RR are considered.

New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2024-39-02-06)

Polyimide-assisted fabrication of highly oriented graphene-based all-carbon foams for increasing the thermal conductivity of polymer composites

Graphene and its derivatives are often preferentially oriented horizontally during processing because of their two-dimensional (2D) layer structure. As a result, thermal interface materials (TIMs) composed of a polymer matrix and graphene-derived fillers often have a high in-plane (IP) thermal conductivity (K), however, the low through-plane (TP) K makes them unsuitable for practical use. We report the development of high-quality polyimide/graphite nanosheets (PG) perpendicular to the plane using a directional freezing technique that increase the TP K of polymer-based composites. Graphene-derived nanosheets (GNs) were obtained by the crushing of scraps of highly thermally conductive graphene films. A water-soluble polyamic acid salt solution was used to disperse the hydrophobic GNs filler to achieve directional freezing. The polyimide, which facilitated the directional alignment of the GNs, was then graphitized. The introduction of the GNs increases the order and density of the PG, thus improving the strength and heat transfer performance of its polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite. The obtained PG/PDMS composite (21.1% PG, mass fraction) has an impressive TP K of 14.56 W·m−1·K−1, 81 times that of pure PDMS. This simple polyimide-assisted 2D hydrophobic fillers alignment method provides ideas for the widespread fabrication of anisotropic TIMs and enables the reuse of scraps of graphene films.

New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2024-39-02-02)

A review of the use of metal oxide/carbon composite materials to inhibit the shuttle effect in lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are among the most promising next-generation electrochemical energy-storage systems due to their exceptional theoretical specific capacity, inexpensive production cost and environmental friendliness. However, the poor conductivity of S and Li2S, severe lithium polysulfide (LiPS) shuttling and the sluggish redox kinetics of the phase transformation greatly hinder their commercialization. Carbonaceous materials could be potentially useful in Li-S batteries to tackle these problems with their high specific surface area to host LiPSs and sulfur and excellent electrical conductivity to increase electron transfer rate. However, non-polar carbon materials are unable to interact closely with the highly polar polysulfides, resulting in a low sulfur utilization and a serious shuttle effect. Because of their advantages of strong polarity and a large number of adsorption sites, integrating transition metal oxides (TMOs) with carbon-based materials (CMs) increases the chemical adsorption of LiPSs and electrochemical reaction activity for LiPSs. The working principles and main challenges of Li-S batteries are discussed followed by a review of recent research on the ex-situ and in-situ synthesis of TMO/CM composites. The formation of TMO/CMs with the dimensionalities of CMs from 1D to 3D are then reviewed together with ways of changing their structure, including heterostructure design, vacancy engineering and facet manipulation. Finally, the outlook for using TMO/CMs in Li-S batteries is considered.

New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2024-39-01-03)

Carbon-based metal-free nanomaterials for the electrosynthesis of small-molecule chemicals: A review

Electrocatalysis is a key component of many clean energy technologies that has the potential to store renewable electricity in chemical form. Currently, noble metal-based catalysts are most widely used for improving the conversion efficiency of reactants during the electrocatalytic process. However, drawbacks such as high cost and poor stability seriously hinder their large-scale use in this process and in sustainable energy devices. Carbon-based metal-free catalysts (CMFCs) have received growing attention due to their enormous potential for improving the catalytic performance. This review gives a concise comprehensive overview of recent developments in CMFCs for electrosynthesis. First, the fundamental catalytic mechanisms and design strategies of CMFCs are presented and discussed. Then, a brief overview of various electrosynthesis processes, including the synthesis of hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, chlorine, as well as various carbon- and nitrogen-based compounds is given. Finally, current challenges and prospects for CMFCs are highlighted.

New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2024-39-01-04)

A review of carbon-based catalysts and catalyst supports for simultaneous organic electro-oxidation and hydrogen evolution reactions

Producing organic electro-oxidation and hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) simultaneously in an electrolytic cell is an appealing method for generating valuable chemicals at the anode while also producing H2 at the cathode. Within this framework, the task of designing energy-saving electrocatalysts with high selectivity and stability is a considerable challenge. Carbon-based catalysts, along with their supports, have emerged as promising candidates due to their diverse sources, large specific surface area, high porosity and multidimensional characteristics. This review summarizes progress from 2012 to 2022, in the use of carbon-based catalysts and their supports for organic electrooxidation and HER. It delves into outer-sphere electrooxidation mechanisms involving molecule-mediated oxidation and oxidative radical coupling reactions, as well as inner-sphere electrooxidation mechanisms, encompassing both acidic and alkaline electrolytes. The review also explores prospective research directions within this domain, addressing various aspects such as the design of electrocatalytic materials, the study of the relationship between the structure and properties of electrocatalysts, as well as examining their potential industrial applications.

New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2026-41-01-04)

Selecting the molecular components of a pitch to produce a hard carbon anode with a high sodium storage capacity

Pitch is an excellent precursor for the production of hard carbon, with pre-oxidation a crucial process in the fabrication. The structural changes in the different molecular components of pitch during thermochemical treatment are a key factor in determining the sodium-ion storage of pitch-based hard carbon anodes. We investigated the effects of the different molecular structures in the asphaltene precursor, including aromatic rings and aliphatic chains, on the sodium-ion storage behavior of the resulting carbon. We found that polar oxygen functional groups limit the steric hindrance caused by the aromatic rings in pitch, and thus facilitate the introduction of cross-linked structures. During high-temperature carbonization, aromatic rings form a rigid carbon framework that prevents the rearrangement of ordered carbon layers, leading to a short-range disordered carbon structure and promotes the production of closed pores. For example, a material prepared from asphaltene, which contains a large number of oxygen-containing functional groups and macromolecular aromatic rings, using pre-oxidation at 300 °C and carbonization at 1200 °C had a reversible capacity of 316.7 mAh g−1 when used as the anode for sodium ion batteries. Our research provides a theoretical basis for the selection of raw materials for the development of high-quality pitch-based hard carbons.

New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2025-40-01-02)

Recent progress on the use of lignin-based porous carbon in supercapacitors

With the development of electronics and portable devices, there is a significant drive to develop electrode materials for supercapacitors that are lightweight, economical, and provide high energy and power densities. Lignin-based porous carbons have recently been extensively studied for energy storage applications because of their characteristics of large specific surface area, easy doping, and high conductivity. Significant progress in the synthesis of porous carbons derived from lignin, using different strategies for their preparation and modification with heteroatoms, metal oxides, metal sulfides, and conductive polymers is considered and their electrochemical performances and ion storage mechanisms are discussed. Considerable focus is directed towards the challenges encountered in using lignin-based porous carbons and the ways to optimize specific capacity and energy density for supercapacitor applications. Finally, the limitations of existing technologies and research directions for improving the performance of lignin-based carbons are discussed.

New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2025-40-01-04)

A review of high thermal conductivity carbon-based materials for microwave absorption materials

The ever-increasing integration of electronic devices has inevitably caused electromagnetic interference and heat accumulation problems, and dual-function materials with both a high thermal conductivity and high electromagnetic wave absorption (EWA) are regarded as an effective strategy for solving these problems. Carbon materials are widely used as thermal and EWA fillers due to their excellent conductivity and outstanding thermal conduction properties, and have become a research hotspot in the field of high thermal conductivity, microwave absorbing materials in recent years. The status of current research progress on carbon-based high thermal-conduction microwave absorption materials, including carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, graphene and amorphous carbon, is reviewed, and the influence of the structure of the materials on their absorption and thermal conductivity properties, such as core-shell structure, three-dimensional network structure, and heteroatom doping, is also elaborated. Feasible solutions for the current problems with these materials are proposed, with the aim of providing valuable guidance for the future design of carbon-based high thermal conduction microwave absorbing materials.

Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)2025DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25010015

Review on three-dimensional graphene: synthesis and joint photoelectric regulation in photodetectors

Graphene has garnered significant attention in photodetection due to its exceptional optical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. However, the practical application of two-dimensional (2D) graphene in optoelectronic fields is limited by its weak light absorption (only 2.3%) and zero bandgap characteristics. Increasing light absorption is a critical scientific challenge for developing high-performance graphene-based photodetectors. Three-dimensional (3D) graphene comprises vertically grown stacked 2D-graphene layers and features a distinctive porous structure. Unlike 2D-graphene, 3D-graphene offers a larger specific surface area, improved electrochemical activity, and high chemical stability, making it a promising material for optoelectronic detection. Importantly, 3D-graphene has an optical microcavity structure that enhances light absorption through interaction with incoming light. This paper systematically reviews and analyzes the current research status and challenges of 3D-graphene-based photodetectors, aiming to explore feasible development paths for these devices and promote their industrial application.

Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)2025DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25010017

Growth and optical properties of large-sized Co2+: ZnGa2O4 single crystal

The transition of cobalt ions located at tetrahedral sites will produce strong absorption in the visible and near-infrared regions, and is expected to work in a passively Q-switched solid-state laser at the eye-safe wavelength of 1.5 µm. In this study, Co2+ ions were introduced into the wide bandgap semiconductor material ZnGa2O4, and large-sized and high-quality Co2+-doped ZnGa2O4 crystals with a volume of about 20 cm3 were grown using the vertical gradient freeze (VGF) method. Crystal structure and optical properties were analyzed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and absorption spectroscopy. XRD results show that the Co2+-doped ZnGa2O4 crystal has a pure spinel phase without impurity phases and the rocking curve full width at half maximum (FWHM) is only 58 arcsec. The concentration of Co2+ in Co2+-doped ZnGa2O4 crystals was determined to be 0.2 at.% by the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The optical band gap of Co2+-doped ZnGa2O4 crystals is 4.44 eV. The optical absorption spectrum for Co2+-doped ZnGa2O4 reveals a prominent visible absorption band within 550−670 nm and a wide absorption band spanning from 1100 to 1700 nm. This suggests that the Co2+ ions have substituted the Zn2+ ions, which are typically tetrahedrally coordinated, within the lattice structure of ZnGa2O4. The visible region's absorption peak and the near-infrared broad absorption band are ascribed to the 4A2(4F) → 4T1(4P) and 4A2(4F) →4T1(4F) transitions, respectively. The optimal ground state absorption cross section was determined to be 3.07 × 10−19 cm2 in ZnGa2O4, a value that is comparatively large within the context of similar materials. This finding suggests that ZnGa2O4 is a promising candidate for use in near-infrared passive Q-switched solid-state lasers.

Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(25)67022-1

Influence of porous structures with small unit cell on mechanical properties of porous titanium dental implants fabricated by selective laser melting

Based on the application requirements for porous dental implants, four porous structures of gyroid, RD (rhombic dodecahedron), cubic, and CHC (three identical cylinders hollow cubic) for porous titanium implants have been designed and fabricated using selective laser melting (SLM) technology. Typically, the unit cell dimensions range from 0.5 to 1.6 mm, with pore diameters between 300 and 900 µm, achieving porosities of 60%−80%. The influence of porous structures with small unit cell on scaffold formability and mechanical properties was investigated through compression, torsion tests as well as finite element simulations. Consequently, gyroid scaffolds exhibit optimal formability with the lowest porosity and pore deviation. With the same porosity, gyroid and RD scaffolds exhibit lower compressive strength than cubic and CHC scaffolds, yet their torsional properties show an inverse relationship. Moreover, gyroid scaffolds possess the highest torque but the lowest compressive strength and elastic modulus. The gyroid scaffold with 60% porosity shows a modulus of 3.96 GPa, matching bone modulus of 0−30 GPa. Its compressive strength reaches 176.3 MPa, exceeding that of bone by 100 MPa. Additionally, the torque for the d4.0 mm implant is 2.22 N·m, approaching the FDA safe torque of 2.3 N·m. Therefore, the gyroid represents the most ideal structure for porous dental implants.

Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(25)66982-2

Improving mechanical properties of Cu/CNTs composites by incorporating nanotwins

To exploit the combined strengthening effects of nanotwins and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in Cu matrix composites, the nanotwins with a width ranging from 3 to 30 nm were incorporated into the CNTs-reinforced Cu matrix composites using cryogenic rolling and optimizing the initial particle size of the raw Cu powders. The formation of nanotwins in the Cu matrix composite reinforced by only 0.2 wt.% CNTs is accompanied by the increased dislocation density and refined Cu grain size, resulting in much better strength−ductility synergy than the referenced composite without significant nanotwins formation. The analysis of strengthening and toughening mechanisms demonstrates that the strength increment mainly derives from grain refinement strengthening, dislocation strengthening, and nanotwin strengthening. The strength increment from the contribution of the nanotwins accounts for 19.9% of the overall strength increment for the composite. Meanwhile, the retention of good tensile ductility can be reasonably explained by the increased dislocation accommodation ability due to the formed nanotwins and the decreased induced dislocation proliferation.

Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(25)66986-X

Kinetics and morphological evolution mechanism of WO3 during non-isothermal hydrogen reduction

The hydrogen reduction kinetics of tungsten trioxide (WO3) was investigated via non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis. Under the local gas–solid reduction conditions, the particle morphology of tungsten powders was found to be consistent with that of raw material WO3. The removal of oxygen from tungsten oxide during hydrogen reduction led to the formation of porous structures between the reduced particles, which were obviously different from the polyhedral single-crystal configuration of tungsten powders obtained via chemical vapor deposition. Moreover, the two-stage hydrogen reduction mechanisms of WO3 under the local gas–solid reduction conditions can be described using the composite autocatalytic function. The activation energies of the first and second stages of the hydrogen reduction of WO3 were determined to be 121 and 135 kJ/mol, respectively.

Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(25)66951-2

3D morphological characteristics of shrinkage porosities and their relationship with microstructures in Mg−12Al magnesium alloy

The dependence of shrinkage porosities on microstructure characteristics of Mg−12Al alloy was investigated. The distribution, morphology, size, and number density of shrinkage porosities were analyzed under different cooling rates. The relationship between shrinkage porosities and microstructure characteristics was discussed in terms of temperature conditions, feeding channel characteristics, and feeding capacity. Further, the feeding behavior of the residual liquid phase in the solid skeleton was quantified by introducing permeability. Results show a strong correlation between the solid microstructure skeleton and shrinkage porosity characteristics. An increase in permeability corresponds to a declining number density of shrinkage porosities. This study aims to provide a more complete understanding how to reduce shrinkage porosities by controlling microstructure characteristics.

Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)2025DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(25)66946-9

Additive manufacturing techniques for WC−Co cemented carbides: Principle, progress, and perspective

Additive manufacturing (AM) technology has emerged as a viable solution for manufacturing complex-shaped WC−Co cemented carbide products, thereby expanding their applications in industries such as resource mining, equipment manufacturing, and electronic information. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the progress of AM technology in WC−Co cemented carbides. The fundamental principles and classification of AM techniques are introduced, followed by a categorization and evaluation of the AM techniques for WC−Co cemented carbides. These techniques are classified as either direct AM technology (DAM) or indirect AM technology (IDAM), depending on their inclusion of post-processes like de-binding and sintering. Through an analysis of microstructure features, the most suitable AM route for WC−Co cemented carbide products with controllable microstructure is identified as the indirect AM technology, such as binder jet printing (BJP), which integrates AM with conventional powder metallurgy.

Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)2025DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.01.005

Effect of acid fracturing fluid modifying coal microstructure stimulated by ultrasonic

The combination of ultrasonic and acid fracturing fluid can strengthen the modification effect on the micropore structure of the coal matrix, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the acid fracturing process. In this research, acetic acid was utilized to formulate acid fracturing fluids with varying concentrations, and the evolutionary traits of both the acid fracturing fluids and ultrasonic waves in relation to coal samples were investigated. The functional group structure, mineral composition, micropore structure and surface morphology of coal samples were characterized by FTIR, XRD, N2 adsorption at low temperature and SEM-EDS. The results showed that aromatics (I) and branching parameters (CH2/CH3) were reduced by 81.58% and 88.67%, respectively, after 9% acetic acid treatment. Acetic acid can dissolve carbonates and clay minerals in coal, create new pores, and increase porosity, pore volume and pore fractal dimension. After modification by 7% acetic acid, the pore volume increased by 5.7 times. SEM observation shows that the diameter of coal surface holes increases, EDS scanning shows that the content of mineral elements in coal decreases, the connectivity of coal holes increases, and the holes expand. The findings of this research offer theoretical direction for optimizing ultrasonic-enhanced acid fracturing fluid modification.

Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)2025DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25020031

Breathable and skin-conformal electronic skin with dual-modality synchronous perception of pressure and temperature

The random nanofiber distribution in traditional electrospun membranes restricts the pressure sensing sensitivity and measurement range of electronic skin. Moreover, current multimodal sensing suffers from issues like overlapping signal outputs and slow response. Herein, a novel electrospinning method is proposed to prepare double-coupled microstructured nanofibrous membranes. Through the effect of high voltage electrostatic field in the electrospinning, the positively charged nanofibers are preferentially attached to the negatively charged foam surface, forming the ordered two-dimensional honeycomb porous nanofibrous membrane with three-dimensional spinous microstructure. Compared with the conventional random porous nanofibrous membrane, the bionic two-dimensional honeycomb and three-dimensional spinous dual-coupled microstructures in the ordered porous nanofibrous membrane endows the electronic skin with significantly improved mechanical properties (maximum tensile strain increased by 77% and fatigue resistance increased by 35%), air permeability (water vapor transmission rate increased by 16%) and sensing properties (pressure sensitivity increased by 276% and detection range increased by 137%). Furthermore, the electronic skin was constructed by means of a conformal composite ionic liquid functionalized nanofibrous membrane, and the real-time and interference-free dual-signal monitoring of pressure and temperature (maximum temperature coefficient of resistance: −0.918 °C−1) was realized.

Journal of Semiconductors (半导体学报 - 中国科学院半导体研究所)2025DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25030003

Synthesis of p-type PbS quantum dot ink via inorganic ligand exchange in solution for high-efficiency and stable solar cells

Traditional p-type colloidal quantum dot (CQD) hole transport layers (HTLs) used in CQD solar cells (CQDSCs) are commonly based on organic ligands exchange and the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique. Nonetheless, the ligand detachment and complex fabrication process introduce surface defects, compromising device stability and efficiency. In this work, we propose a solution-phase ligand exchange (SPLE) method utilizing inorganic ligands to develop stable p-type lead sulfide (PbS) CQD inks for the first time. Various amounts of tin (II) iodide (SnI2) were mixed with lead halide (PbX2; X = I, Br) in the ligand solution. By precisely controlling the SnI₂ concentration, we regulate the transition of PbS QDs from n-type to p-type. PbS CQDSCs were fabricated using two different HTL approaches: one with 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT)-passivated QDs via the LbL method (control) and another with inorganic ligand-passivated QD ink (target). The target devices achieved a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.93%, compared to 9.83% for the control devices. This improvement is attributed to reduced interfacial defects and enhanced carrier mobility. The proposed technique offers an efficient pathway for producing stable p-type PbS CQD inks using inorganic ligands, paving the way for high-performance and flexible CQD-based optoelectronic devices.