Academic Research Journal•2026•DOI: 10.26599/NR.2026.94908854
Constructing photocatalysts decorated with atomically dispersed metal species (ADMs) represents a pivotal strategy to maximize atom utilization and tailor active sites for efficient carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction. However, conventional synthesis strategies, typically relying on tedious wet-chemistry or prolonged thermal calcination, often suffer from slow kinetics that inevitably drive the thermodynamic aggregation of metastable single atoms or nanoclusters into less active nanoparticles. Herein, we bypassed these limitations by developing a facile flash Joule heating (FJH) strategy to engineer stable Cu ADMs on TiO2 via an ultrafast and millisecond-scale heating-quenching process. This non-equilibrium thermal shock effectively stabilizes the metal species before thermal diffusion can occur, ensuring a robust metal–support interaction, as unambiguously confirmed by aberration-corrected high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analyses. Consequently, the optimized Cu1.0/TiO2 delivers an approximately 10-fold enhancement in CO evolution compared to pristine TiO2 under simulated solar irradiation. Comprehensive in-situ diffuse reflectance Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and photoelectrochemical measurements reveal that these isolated Cu sites function as superior electron-trapping centers, which significantly accelerate interfacial charge transfer kinetics and promote the activation of critical reaction intermediates. This work establishes FJH as a versatile and scalable platform for overcoming the stability-dispersion trade-off in the rational design of high-performance photocatalysts.
Nano-Micro Letters•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01986-9
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 Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01822-0
In photocatalytic water treatment processes, the particulate photocatalysts are typically immobilized on membrane, through either chemical/physical loading onto the surface or directly embedding in the membrane matrix. However, these immobilization strategies inevitably compromise the interfacial mass diffusion and cause activity decline relative to the suspended catalyst. Here, we propose a binder-free surface immobilization strategy for fabrication of high-activity photocatalytic membrane. Through a simple dimethylformamide (DMF) treatment, the nanofibers of polyvinylidene fluoride membrane were softened and stretched, creating enlarged micropores to efficiently capture the photocatalyst. Subsequently, the nanofibers underwent shrinking during DMF evaporation, thus firmly strapping the photocatalyst microparticles on the membrane surface. This surface self-bounded photocatalytic membrane, with firmly bounded yet highly exposed photocatalyst, exhibited 4.2-fold higher efficiency in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) photosynthesis than the matrix-embedded control, due to improved O2 accessibility and H2O2 diffusion. It even outperformed the suspension photocatalytic system attributed to alleviated H2O2 decomposition at the hydrophobic surface. When adopted for UV-based water treatment, the photocatalytic system exhibited tenfold faster micropollutants photodegradation than the catalyst-free control and demonstrated superior robustness for treating contaminated tap water, lake water and secondary wastewater effluent. This immobilization strategy can also be extended to the fabrication of other photocatalytic membranes with diverse catalyst types and membrane substrate. Overall, our work opens a facile avenue for fabrication of high-performance photocatalytic membranes, which may benefit advanced oxidation water purification application and beyond.
Nano-Micro Letters•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s40820-025-01706-3
Precise regulation of the platform capacity/voltage of electrode materials contributes to the efficient operation of sodium-ion fast-charging devices. However, the design of such electrode materials is still in a blank stage. Herein, based on tunable metal–organic frameworks, we have designed a novel material system—two-dimensional high-entropy metal–organic frameworks (HE-MOFs), which exhibits unique properties in sodium storage and is of vital importance for realizing fast-charging batteries. Furthermore, we have found that the high-entropy effect can regulate the electronic structure, the sodium-ion migration environment, and the sodium-ion storage active sites, thereby meeting the requirements of electrode materials for sodium-ion fast-charging devices. Impressively, the HE-MOFs material still maintains a reversible specific capacity of 89 mAh g−1 at a current density of 20 A g−1. It presents an ideal sodium storage voltage plateau of approximately 0.5 V, and its platform capacity is increased to 122.7 mAh g−1, far superior to that of Mn-MOFs (with no platform capacity). This helps to reduce safety hazards during the fast-charging process and demonstrates its great application value in the fields of fast-charging sodium-ion batteries and capacitors. Our research findings have broken the barriers to the application of non-conductive MOFs as energy storage materials, enhanced the understanding of the regulation of platform capacity and voltage, and paved the way for the realization of high-security sodium-ion fast-charging devices.
New Carbon Materials (新型炭材料)•2025•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2024-39-02-07)
Micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) are of interest because of their high power density and excellent cycling performance, offering a broad array of potential applications. However, preparing electrodes for the MSCs with an extremely high areal capacitance and energy density remains a challenge. We constructed MSC electrodes with an ultra-high area capacitance and a high energy density, using reduced graphene oxide aerogel (GA) and MoS2 as the active materials, combined with 3D printing and surface modification. Using 3D printing, we obtained electrodes with a stable macrostructure and a GA-crosslinked micropore structure. We also used a solution method to load the surface of the printed electrode with molybdenum disulfide nanosheets, further improving the electrochemical performance. The surface capacitance of the electrode reached 3.99 F cm−2, the power density was 194 μW cm−2, and the energy density was 1 997 mWh cm−2, confirming its excellent electrochemical performance and cycling stability. This work provides a simple and efficient method for preparing MSC electrodes with a high areal capacitance and energy density, making them ideal for portable electronic devices.
Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (中国有色金属学报)•2025•DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(25)67029-4
Ru nanoparticles (NPs) supported on CeO2−Mg(OH)2 composite nanosheets, donated as Ru/CeO2−Mg(OH)2, are developed as the highly active catalyst for selective hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol. Characterization results demonstrate that Ru NPs are adsorbed on the surface of the polyhedra of CeO2, which are scattered on the surface of the thin Mg(OH)2 nanosheets. Ru/CeO2−Mg(OH)2-0.2 achieves 92.6% conversion of furfural and 96.3% selectivity to furfuryl alcohol. Ru/CeO2−Mg(OH)2-0.2 retains high activity after six cycles, due to the introduction of CeO2 to form composite support that effectively prevents the leaching of Ru NPs. The strong metal–support interaction (SMSI) between Ru NPs and the CeO2−Mg(OH)2 composite support can tune the electronic structure of Ru NPs, which facilitates the H2 activation. Moreover, the CeO2−Mg(OH)2 interface exhibits specific adsorption of C=O bonds compared to the CeO2 alone. The composite-supported nanoparticles provide a valuable strategy for constructing highly efficient hydrogenation catalysts.
Int. Journal of Mining Science and Technology (采矿与安全工程)•2025•DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.07.001
Renewable energy storage technologies are critical for transitioning to sustainable energy systems, with salt caverns playing a significant role in large-scale solutions. In water-soluble mining of low-grade salt formations, insoluble impurities and interlayers detach during salt dissolution and accumulate as sediment at the cavern base, thereby reducing the storage capacity and economic viability of salt cavern gas storage (SCGS). This study investigates sediment formation mechanisms, void distribution, and voidage in the Huai’an low-grade salt mine, introducing a novel self-developed physical simulation device for two butted-well horizontal (TWH) caverns that replicates compressed air injection and brine discharge. Experiments comparing “one injection and one discharge” and “two injections and one discharge” modes revealed that (1) compressed air effectively displaces brine from sediment voids, (2) a 0.5 MPa injection pressure corresponds to a 10.3 MPa operational lower limit in practice, aligning with field data, and (3) sediment voidage is approximately 46%, validated via air-brine interface theory. The “two injections and one discharge” mode outperformed in both discharge volume and rate. Additionally, a mathematical model for brine displacement via compressed air was established. These results provide foundational insights for optimizing compressed air energy storage (CAES) in low-grade salt mines, advancing their role in renewable energy integration.
Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering•2025•DOI: 10.1186/s10033-025-01310-x
The emission of copper-containing particulate matter during braking poses a threat to the natural environment, yet copper plays a crucial role in resin-based brake pads. Developing a copper-free brake pad with high heat-fade resistance has emerged as a significant current topic. This study employs andalusite-filled resin-based brake pads as a replacement for copper in brake pads. It investigates the effects of andalusite mesh size and content on the physical properties, mechanical properties, and tribological wear performance of the brake pads, and explores the wear mechanism of andalusite-filled copper-free resin-based brake pads. The results indicate that adding andalusite to the brake pads enhances their thermal stability, hardness, impact strength, and density, effectively improving the medium-to-high temperature friction coefficient and heat-fade resistance of the brake pads. As the mesh size of andalusite increases, the hardness of the brake pads also increases, while the impact strength initially increases and then decreases. As the weight content of andalusite increases, the hardness and impact strength of the brake pads gradually increase. When the andalusite mesh size is 320 mesh and the content is 20%, the brake pads exhibit good comprehensive tribological wear performance. The addition of andalusite not only increases the medium-to-high temperature friction coefficient of the brake pads but also strengthens their high-temperature friction surface. This study successfully replaces copper, which is harmful to the environment and costly, with andalusite in brake pads, obtaining a high heat-fade resistance metal-free resin-based brake pad.
Journal of Central South University•2025•DOI: 10.1007/s11771-025-6123-z
The creep deformation and mechanical properties of 2219 aluminum alloy were experimentally investigated under both tension and compression at the temperature of 165 ℃ for different time. The results indicated that the creep deformation under tensile stress was greater than that under compressive stress. As the stress level increases, the compressive creep rate showed more significant increase. The yield strength after compressive stress creep-ageing was higher than that after stress-free ageing, with the lowest strength observed in the tensile-aged sample. Overall, the average phase length after compressive stress creep-ageing was larger than after tensile stress ageing. Under tensile stress, the number and size of precipitates at small angles to the stress direction were larger than those perpendicular to the stress direction. In contrast, under compressive stress, this relationship was reversed, and the preferential orientation of phases became more pronounced with ageing time. A unified, physics-based creep-ageing constitutive model, accounting for the orientation of precipitation, was developed for both tensile and compressive stress conditions. The predicted results were in good agreement with the experimental data. These findings, along with the developed model, provide a theoretical and simulation basis for precise creep-ageing forming of components under complex stresses.