Activatable NIR-II Lanthanides-Polymetallic Oxomolybdate Hybrid Nanosensors for Monitoring Chemotherapy Induced Enteritis

Chemotherapy-induced enteritis is one of the side effects associated with cancer therapy, which significantly affects the treatment effect, but there is no effective clinical detection method that can early diagnose its occurrence and progression. Here, a series of second near-infrared window (NIR-II) hybrid nanosensors are designed that consisted of lanthanide nanoparticles and β-Mo2C-derived polymetallic oxomolybdate nanoclusters (Ln@POM). Based on the high sensitivity of POM to reactive oxygen species (ROS) closely related to chemotherapy-induced enteritis, the NIR-II luminescence intensity and lifetime of Ln@POM (Ln: Yb³⁺, Nd³⁺, Ho³⁺, Tm³⁺, Er³⁺) show excellent responsiveness to H₂O₂ and HClO with the detection limit down to 0.15 and 0.14 µm , respectively. Utilizing Nd@POM as a ROS-activated NIR-II nanosensor, the chemotherapeutic enteritis is successfully detected within 7 h after induction of chemotherapy drugs, which is significantly earlier than the gold standard method (immunohistochemistry, 24 h). These results demonstrate that the designed hybrid nanosensors are promising optical tools for the early diagnosis of ROS-related diseases.     

Functional 2D Phases in Mixed Dimensional Perovskite Photovoltaics

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with unique properties exhibit their powerful competitiveness in the photovoltaic field over the past few years. However, the challenges of stability for perovskite devices limit the commercialization and further development. The 2D/3D hybrid structures combine the superior efficiency of bulk perovskites and the superior stability of layered perovskites and gradually get hotspots of the photovoltaic field. In addition, there remains a lack of comprehensive understanding and systematic summary of the function of 2D perovskite attributed to the complex nature of 2D/3D structures. Here, the latest progress of 2D/3D hybrid structures and focus on the functionality of 2D phases in mixed structures and the underlying mechanism from the perspective of their different distributions in the perovskite layer is summarized. Then, the insight and vital factors for overall improvements in the stability of 2D/3D structures are thoroughly discussed. Finally, it is expected that this review will contribute to the present challenges and future research prospects in the photovoltaic industry.     

Self-Adhesive Polydimethylsiloxane Foam Materials Decorated with MXene/Cellulose Nanofiber Interconnected Network for Versatile Functionalities

Polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) foam as one of next-generation polymer foam materials shows poor surface adhesion and limited functionality, which greatly restricts its potential applications. Fabrication of advanced PDMS foam materials with multiple functionalities remains a critical challenge. In this study, unprecedented self-adhesive PDMS foam materials are reported with worm-like rough structure and reactive groups for fabricating multifunctional PDMS foam nanocomposites decorated with MXene/cellulose nanofiber (MXene/CNF) interconnected network by a facile silicone foaming and dip-coating strategy followed by silane surface modification. Interestingly, such self-adhesive PDMS foam produces strong interfacial adhesion with the hybrid MXene/CNF nano-coatings. Consequently, the optimized PDMS foam nanocomposites have excellent surface super-hydrophobicity (water contact angle of ≈159^o), tunable electrical conductivity (from 10⁻⁸ to 10 S m⁻¹), stable compressive cyclic reliability in both wide-temperature range (from −20 to 200 ^oC) and complex environments (acid, sodium, and alkali conditions), outstanding flame resistance (LOI value of >27% and low smoke production rate), good thermal insulating performance and reliable strain sensing in various stress modes and complex environmental conditions. It provides a new route for the rational design and development of advanced PDMS foam nanocomposites with versatile multifunctionalities for various promising applications such as intelligent healthcare monitoring and fire-safe thermal insulation.     

19.28% Efficiency and Stable Polymer Solar Cells Enabled by Introducing an NIR-Absorbing Guest Acceptor

Here, a near-infrared (NIR)-absorbing small-molecule acceptor (SMA) Y-SeNF with strong intermolecular interaction and crystallinity is developed by combining selenophene-fused core with naphthalene-containing end-group, and then as a custom-tailor guest acceptor is incorporated into the binary PM6:L8-BO host system. Y-SeNF shows a 65 nm red-shifted absorption compared to L8-BO. Thanks to the strong crystallinity and intermolecular interaction of Y-SeNF, the morphology of PM6:L8-BO:Y-SeNF can be precisely regulated by introducing Y-SeNF, achieving improved charge-transporting and suppressed non-radiative energy loss. Consequently, ternary polymer solar cells (PSCs) offer an impressive device efficiency of 19.28% with both high photovoltage (0.873 V) and photocurrent (27.88 mA cm⁻²), which is one of the highest efficiencies in reported single-junction PSCs. Notably, ternary PSC has excellent stability under maximum-power-point tracking for even over 200 h, which is better than its parental binary devices. The study provides a novel strategy to construct NIR-absorbing SMA for efficient and stable PSCs toward practical applications.     

Femtosecond Laser 4D Printing of Light-Driven Intelligent Micromachines

Intelligent micromachines that respond to external light stimuli have a broad range of potential applications, such as microbots, biomedicine, and adaptive optics. However, artificial light-driven intelligent micromachines with a low actuation threshold, rapid responsiveness, and designable and precise 3D transformation capability remain unachievable to date. Here, a single-material and one-step 4D printing strategy are proposed to enable the nanomanufacturing of agile and low-threshold light-driven 3D micromachines with programmable shape-morphing characteristics. The as-developed carbon nanotube-doped composite hydrogel simultaneously enhanced the light absorption, thermal conductivity, and mechanical modulus of the crosslinked network, thus significantly increasing the light sensitivity and response speed of micromachines. Moreover, the structural design and assembly of asymmetric microscale mechanical metamaterial unit cells enable the highly efficient additive nanomanufacturing of 3D shape-morphable micromachines with large dynamic modulation and spatiotemporal controllability. Using this strategy, the world's smallest artificial beating heart with programmable light-stimulus responsiveness for the cardiac cycle is successfully printed. This 4D printing method paves the way for the construction of multifunctional intelligent micromachines for bionics, drug delivery, integrated microsystems, and other fields.     

Grafted MXenes Based Electrolytes for 5V-Class Solid-State Batteries

Polymer blends based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs), combining the advantages of multiple polymers, are promising for the utilization of 5 V-class cathodes (e.g., LiCoMnO₄ (LCMO)) with enhanced safety. However, severe macro-phase separation with defects and voids in polymer blends restrict the electrochemical stability and ionic migration of SPEs. Herein, inorganic compatibilizer polyacrylonitrile grafted MXene (MXene-g-PAN) is exploited to improve the miscibility of the poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVHF)/PAN blends and suppress the consolidation of phase particles. The resulting SPE exhibits a high anodic stability with an ionic conductivity of 2.17 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹, enabling a stable and reversible Li platting/stripping (over 2500 h). The fabricated solid Li‖LCMO cell delivers a 5.1 V discharge voltage with a decent capacity (131 mAh g⁻¹) and cycling performance. Subsequently, the solid all-in-one graphite‖LCMO battery is also constructed to extend the application of MXene based SPEs in flexible batteries. Benefiting from the interface-less design, outstanding mechanical flexibility and stability is achieved in the battery, which can endure various deformations with a low-capacity loss (< ≈10%). This study signifies a significant development on solid flexible lithium ion batteries with enhanced performance, stability, and reliability by investigating the miscibility of polymer blends, benefiting for the design of high-performance SPEs.     

Mo-Modified ZnIn2S4@NiTiO3 S-Scheme Heterojunction with Enhanced Interfacial Electric Field for Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Hydrogen Evolution

Designing and developing visible-light-responsive materials for solar to chemical energy is an efficient and promising approach to green and sustainable carbon-neutral energy systems. Herein, a facile in situ growth hydrothermal strategy using Mo-modified ZnIn₂S₄ (Mo-ZIS) nanosheets coupled with NiTiO₃ (NTO) microrods to synthesize multifunctional Mo-modified ZIS wrapped NTO microrods (Mo-ZIS@NTO) photocatalyst with enhanced interfacial electric field (IEF) effect and typical S-scheme heterojunction is reported. Mo-ZIS@NTO catalyst possesses wide-spectrum light absorption properties, excellent visible light-to-thermal energy effect, electron mobility, charges transfer, and strong IEF and exhibits excellent solar-to-chemical energy conversion for efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Notably, the engineered Mo_1.4-ZIS@NTO catalyst exhibits superior performance with H₂ evolution rate of up to 14.06 mmol g⁻¹ h^{− 1} and the apparent quantum efficiency of 44.1% at 420 nm. The scientific explorations provide an in-depth understanding of microstructure, S-scheme heterojunction, enhanced IEF, Mo-dopant facilitation effect. Moreover, the theoretical simulations verify the critical role of Mo element in promoting the adsorption and activation of H₂O molecules, modulating the H adsorption behavior on active S sites, and thus accelerating the overall catalytic efficiency. The photocatalytic hydrogen evolution mechanism via S-scheme heterojunction with adjustable IEF regulation over Mo_1.4-ZIS@NTO is also demonstrated.     

Spring-Like Ammonium Salt Assisting Stress Release for Low-Temperature Deposited FAPbI3 Films Toward Flexible Photovoltaic Application

The substrates of conventional flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs) are thermoplastic polymer material polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), which will deform during high temperature annealing process. In addition, lead iodide (PbI₂) permanently formed and the substrate undergoes reversible deformation from 20 °C to 200 °C and back to 20 °C. Therefore, to balance the substrate supporting capacity and the crystalline quality of narrow band gap α-phase formamidinium lead iodide (α-FAPbI₃), an annealing process of 120 °C for 30 minutes is determined. Additionally, there will also be a large number of gaps and lattice strain at the perovskite grain boundaries during the annealing process as the FAPbI₃ phase transition is accompanied by much lattice shrinkage. As a result, 1,6-hexanediammonium diiodide (HADI) is chosen to passivate the defects and release the stress of perovskite film. Therefore, a recorded 1.4% extended stretch rate of the flexible film is attained. Finally, the champion PCE of 21.14% under AM 1.5G and 31.52% under 1062 lux is achieved after HADI treatment, accompanied by a better long-term and mechanical stability. This study provides annealing process optimization and stress relief strategies for the further development of narrow band gap FPSCs.     

Comprehensively Strengthened Metal-Oxygen Bonds for Reversible Anionic Redox Reaction

Introducing anionic redox in layered oxides is an effective approach to breaking the capacity limit of conventional cationic redox. However, the anionic redox reaction generally suffers from excessive oxidation of lattice oxygen to O₂ and O₂ release, resulting in local structural deterioration and rapid capacity/voltage decay. Here, a Na_0.71Li_0.22Al_0.05Mn_0.73O₂ (NLAM) cathode material is developed by introducing Al³⁺ into the transition metal (TM) sites. Thanks to the strong Al–O bonding strength and small Al³⁺ radius, the TMO₂ skeleton and the holistic TM–O bonds in NLAM are comprehensively strengthened, which inhibits the excessive lattice oxygen oxidation. The obtained NLAM exhibits a high reversible capacity of 194.4 mAh g^-1 at 20 mA g^-1 and decent cyclability with 98.6% capacity retention over 200 cycles at 200 mA g⁻¹. In situ characterizations reveal that the NLAM experiences phase transitions with an intermediate OP4 phase during the charge–discharge. Theoretical calculations further confirm that the Al substitution strategy is beneficial for improving the overlap between Mn 3d and O 2p orbitals. This finding sheds light on the design of layered oxide cathodes with highly reversible anionic redox for sodium storage.