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We devise a noncontact Ru-MoC/C heterostructure catalyst for the alkaline HOR, in which the Pt-free Ru-MoC/C-based AEMFC achieves a total specific peak power of 17.4 W mgPGM −1 in H2-air with an ultralow loading of 0.05 mgRu cm−2 along with excellent cell stability 0.5 A cm−2 for over 110 h, surpassing the state-of-the-art Ru-type catalysts.

Cost-effective Ru holds tremendous promise to tackle the sluggish hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) kinetics. Rational spatial distribution design of heterostructure components is crucial for electrochemical reactions involving multiple intermediates, particularly in fuel cells. In this study, we demonstrate a noncontact heterostructure catalyst featuring spatially separated but functionally synergistic ruthenium (Ru) nanoparticles (NPs) and molybdenum carbide (MoC) clusters (CLs) interconnected by a conductive carbon support (Ru-MoC/C) for the alkaline HOR. The experimental results and density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate that this configuration achieves a refined division of labor and seamless collaboration in functionality through its ingenious spatial arrangement. Consequently, the Ru-MoC/C-based anion exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC) with an ultralow Ru loading of 0.05 mgRu cm−2 and a Co2MnO4/C cathode achieves a remarkable total specific peak power of 17.4 W mgPGM −1 in H2-air, surpassing the state-of-the-art catalysts. Moreover, this Pt-free AEMFC achieves a total platinum-group-metal (PGM) utilization of 13.4 W mg−1 at 0.65 V, which surpassing the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 2025 target. Additionally, the Ru-MoC/C-based fuel cell can maintain stable cell operation at 0.5 A cm−2 for over 110 h. This work highlights the promise of noncontact heterostructure design in developing efficient and durable electrocatalysts and beyond.

Using depth-resolved and operando spectroscopic measurements coupled with electrochemical mass spectrometry, the authors uncover the critical role of sub-surface oxidised species in increasing the activity and durability of Ni-based cathodes for hydrogen evolution.

Nickel-based cathodes are widely used in alkaline water electrolysis, yet the nature and stability of the active surface under operating conditions remains unclear. In particular, the role of metal/oxo–hydroxo interfacial structures in governing hydrogen evolution activity is not well understood. Here, we employ a multimodal, depth-sensitive approach combining operando Ni L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy, depth-sensitive X-ray absorption measurements in total electron yield and Auger electron yield modes, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, isotopically labeled nano secondary ion mass spectrometry, and online electrochemical mass spectrometry to directly track the evolution of Ni/NiOxHy interfaces during the hydrogen evolution reaction. Using well-defined sputtered Ni thin films as a model system, we show that progressive reduction of near-surface oxide/hydroxide species is accompanied by a gradual loss of hydrogen evolution activity. Depth-resolved measurements reveal a predominantly metallic outermost surface under cathodic bias, while NiOxHy forms on the surface upon relaxation to open-circuit conditions. Importantly, mild anodic pre-conditioning regenerates subsurface NiOxHy species, resulting in a sustained increase in hydrogen evolution activity upon subsequent cathodic polarization. These results establish the crucial role of metal/oxo–hydroxo interfaces as active phases for hydrogen evolution and provide a framework for engineering robust, Earth-abundant HER cathodes capable of operating under dynamic, real-world electrolysis conditions.

Microporous HH-COF with abundant C═N/C═O Cl2 adsorption sites enables strong spatial confinement of Cl2, achieving a high capacity of 4500 mAh g−1, excellent rate performance (10 000 mA g−1), and stable cycling over 500 cycles in Li─Cl2 battery, outperforming its mesoporous counterpart TH-COF and all previously reported electrodes.

The development of high-energy-density Li─Cl2 batteries is hindered by insufficient Cl2 storage in cathodes. Although porous host materials have been preliminarily explored, the effect of pore size on Cl2 confinement and electrochemical behavior still remains unclear. Herein, two novel covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with distinct pore sizes, namely TH-COF (mesoporous, 2.7 nm) and HH-COF (microporous, 0.9 nm), were fabricated by reacting triphenylene-2,3,6,7,10,11-hexacarboxylic acid with 3- and 6-connected amines, respectively, to serve as a model system for elucidating the pore-size effect in Li-Cl2 batteries. Owing to its smaller pore size and resultant stronger spatial confinement, the microporous HH-COF enables superior Cl2 capture and markedly enhanced battery performance, as exemplified by a high capacity of 4500 mAh g−1, a high current density of 10 000 mA g−1, and a Coulombic efficiency (CE) above 94% for each of the 500 cycles, outperforming its mesoporous TH-COF counterpart and all previously reported electrodes. Density functional theory calculations reveal stronger host-guest interactions between Cl2 and the microporous HH-COF than its mesoporous counterpart TH-COF. This study not only clarifies the pivotal role of pore-size engineering in Li-Cl2 batteries but also establishes a rational design principle for developing high-performance Cl2 host cathodes.

PySLi functions as a multifunctional mediator that reshapes the reaction pathway of Li2S. Meanwhile, PySLi can also participate in reversible redox reactions during cycling and serve as a lithium reservoir to compensate for lithium loss in anode-less/free batteries, ultimately enabling a Li2S-based battery system with high energy efficiency and long cycle life.

Lithium sulfide (Li2S) is a promising high-capacity cathode material. Importantly, it can provide lithium source, enabling lithium batteries with an anode-less/free configuration. However, Li2S suffers from poor conductivity, high polarization, low material utilization, as well as the shuttle effect, severely restricting the long cycling performance of batteries. Herein, lithium pyridine-2-thiolate (PySLi) is proposed as a multifunctional mediator for Li2S-based anode-less/free batteries. It is revealed that PySLi can modify the reaction pathway of Li2S, comprehensively enhancing its electrochemical redox kinetics and stability. Results show that the energy efficiency of the Li||Li2S cell with PySLi stabilizes at ∼80% in the full-scale range from 0.1 C to 3 C rate, which is much higher than that without PySLi (49% at 0.1 C and 22% at 3 C). The stability of the lithium metal anode is also improved, maintaining a high coulombic efficiency of >98% for 200 cycles and stable lithium stripping/plating behavior for 1000 h. Moreover, an anode-free battery based on Li2S cathode works normally for 150 cycles, and an anode-less pouch cell retains steady performance for 200 cycles. This multifunctional mediator provides a new strategy for the application of Li2S and stable anode-less/free batteries with high energy density.

Reduced-scattering nonparabolic band-edge transport is accessed in single-crystalline Bi2Te3, where a strongly energy-dependent transport distribution simultaneously enhances thermopower and carrier mobility at cryogenic temperatures. This strategy delivers a record thermoelectric power factor, about three times that of conventional parabolic-band-dominated Bi2Te3, highlighting a route to high-performance cryogenic thermoelectrics.

Selective scattering of electrons near the Fermi level is the kinetic origin of the thermoelectric effect. Pronounced band nonparabolicity near the band edge is expected to promote the decoupling of a high Seebeck coefficient from high electrical conductivity; however, accessing this band-edge transport regime at low temperatures remains challenging, as defect-dominated scattering often masks the intrinsic band-structure effects. Here, we experimentally show that single-crystalline Bi2Te3 can access a reduced-scattering band-edge transport regime in which the transport distribution becomes strongly energy dependent, enabling simultaneously a sizable thermopower and a high carrier mobility at cryogenic temperatures. This approach yields a record thermoelectric power factor of three times as high as that of conventional parabolic band-dominated Bi2Te3. Quantum oscillation measurements reveal multiband transport components consistent with the band-structure complexity of Bi2Te3, and magneto-thermal conductivity measurements indicate a reduced Lorenz factor and suppressed electronic thermal conductivity in the same regime. The resultant over 600% thermoelectric enhancement in conventional Bi2Te3 demonstrates a practical strategy of advancement by engineering band-edge transport in strong spin–orbit coupled materials.

A vertically oriented calixarene-based self-assembled monolayer (SAM) is introduced to maximize the interfacial vertical dipole and optimize band alignment in tin-based perovskite solar cells (TPSCs). As a result, the SAM-enabled TPSCs exhibit significantly enhanced charge extraction and photovoltaic performance, achieving a power conversion efficiency of 16.46%, together with excellent long-term operational stability.

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) represent an effective strategy for optimizing buried interfacial quality in tin-based perovskite solar cells (TPSCs). Nevertheless, conventional SAMs often suffer from severe molecular agglomeration, deteriorating interface quality, and tend to adopt a “lying-down” configuration on hole transport layers, leading to a reduced vertical dipole component and limited ability to tune mismatched energy level alignment. Herein, a multifunctional SAM, 4-sulfocalix[6]arene (SC6A), is introduced to simultaneously regulate the buried interface and optimize band alignment in TPSCs. Owing to six anchoring sulfonate groups, SC6A forms robust multidentate interactions with NiO x , enabling homogeneous interfacial coverage and improved perovskite film growth. Meanwhile, SC6A possesses a large intrinsic molecular dipole and preferentially adopts a vertical orientation, which maximizes the effective dipole component normal to the interface, induces favorable band alignment, and accelerates charge extraction. As a result, TPSCs with SC6A exhibit a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.46%. TPSCs with SC6A maintain 98% of their initial PCE after 980 h of shelf storage. Furthermore, the TPSC with SC6A maintains 90% of its initial PCE after 300 h of continuous operation under 1-sun illumination, whereas the control device reaches the same retention level after only 146 h, demonstrating enhanced long-term operational stability.

Compared with strongly coordinating polymer networks, fluorinated polymer networks largely preserve the pre-polymerization localized high-concentration solvation structure to enable stable interfaces. Fluorinated polymers further enhance interfacial stability and impart safety, thus enabling high-energy-density and safe lithium metal batteries.

Localized high-concentration electrolytes (LHCEs) exhibit excellent interfacial compatibility with lithium metal anodes and high-nickel cathodes, whereas the introduction of polymer networks during gelation may alter their intrinsic solvation structures. Here, we report a solvation-preserving gel electrolyte formed via in situ polymerization of a fluorinated polymer network within a 1,2-Dimethoxyethane (DME)-based LHCE. Unlike conventional gel polymer electrolytes, the fluorinated polymer exhibits limited Li+ coordination, thereby largely preserving the localized high-concentration solvation environment during gelation. This design couples the preserved LHCE solvation chemistry with a fluorinated polymer framework, enabling synergistic regulation of electrode–electrolyte interfaces and enhanced electrochemical performance. Meanwhile, the fluorinated polymer network further improves safety by reducing electrolyte flammability. Lithium symmetric cells achieve stable cycling over 2000 h, while LiNi0.9Co0.05Mn0.05O2 (NCM9)|Li full cells deliver 82.2% capacity retention after 300 cycles and operate stably up to 4.5 V. At the pouch-cell level, a gravimetric energy density of 394.3 Wh kg−1 is achieved under lean-electrolyte conditions, while no thermal runaway is observed up to 300°C. This work demonstrates that preserving solvation structure via rational polymer network design enables simultaneous improvements in interfacial stability, safety, and practical performance in quasi-solid-state lithium metal batteries.

New SAM molecules PhPACz and ThPACz, featuring aromatic linkers between the carbazole and phosphonic acid moieties, were designed to replace 2PACz in organic solar cells. ThPACz can promote charge delocalization at the interface and enhance photochemical stability upon light illumination, leading to significantly enhanced efficiency and stability.

Achieving high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and operational stability remains a critical challenge of organic solar cells (OSCs). While the 2PACz self-assembled monolayer (SAM) offers suppressed parasitic absorption and facilitated charge collection over the routinely-used PEDOT:PSS hole-transport layer (HTL), their operational stability is often limited by the vulnerable chemical structure under high-energy photon illumination. In this work, we design and synthesize two SAMs, PhPACz and ThPACz, whose flexible alkyl linker between phosphonic acid and carbazole of 2PACz is substituted by rigid phenyl or thiophene to manipulate the HOMO and LUMO orbitals and further mediate the electron density distribution of SAM, thereby promoting charge delocalization at the interface and enhancing photochemical stability. The ThPACz SAM delivers suppressed oxygen defects on the ITO surface and largely enhanced the bond dissociation energy at the vulnerable C-N bond (from 72.2 kcal/mol in 2PACz to 97.3 kcal/mol in ThPACz), translating to a champion efficiency of 20.5% in D18:L8-BO binary OSCs, alongside a significantly extended T 80 lifetime (over 7 times) under either visible or 365 nm UV light, outperforming the 2PACz based benchmark. This study underscores the critical role of conjugated linkers in designing high-performance, stable SAMs for next-generation OSCs.

Flexible human–machine interfaces (HMIs) are advancing toward increasingly integrated systems, yet a general framework for understanding their operation across perception, feedback, and control is still missing. This review presents a control-oriented framework spanning command-based, continuous-mapping, and closed-loop control, offering a coherent system-level perspective to interpret existing flexible HMIs and inspire future developments of intelligent flexible HMIs.

The field of flexible human–machine interfaces (HMIs) has been evolving rapidly with progress in materials science, structural design, device fabrication, and system integration. Developments of advanced flexible sensing and feedback devices have remarkably expanded the perceptual modalities, feedback capabilities, and functional scope of these systems. However, the broader deployment of flexible HMIs depends not only on the device performance of sensing/feedback components, but also on the control strategy that translates sensed signals into command outputs for feedback modules. This review highlights recent progress in such perception-feedback mapping strategies for flexible HMIs. Representative sensing and feedback modules, together with common system-level physical architectures, are briefly introduced as a basis for analyzing the relationship between sensed inputs and feedback outputs. A systematic framework is then proposed based on the principle of signal flow from the perception to the feedback side, allowing perception-feedback mapping strategies to be classified into command-based mapping, continuous mapping, and closed-loop control. Comprehensive discussions on these three categories of mapping strategies are presented, covering their operating principles, system implementation, and practical applications. Finally, we discuss current challenges and future directions toward more robust, generalizable, and integrated flexible HMI systems.

High-entropy Prussian blue analogue with tailored unusual cyanide (CN-) vacancy possesses adaptive coordination flexible sites and local electronic delocalization regions, thus achieving superior structure stability, fast electrochemical kinetics and redox reversibility, contributing ultra-long lifespan over 6000 cycles.

High-entropy Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) are promising cathodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, inherent [Fe(CN)6]4– defects deteriorate electrochemical kinetics and phase stability. Herein, an unusual cyanide (CN–) vacancy is tailored in high-entropy PBA (HE-Cu-PA, Na1.58Mn0.191Fe0.2Co0.195Ni0.2Cu0.19[Fe(CN)5.85]), constructed via a phytic acid (PA) assisted coprecipitation method, as cathode material for SIBs. The precisely designed high-entropy composition with CN– defects create adaptive coordination flexible sites and local electronic delocalization regions, synergistically enhancing structural stability, electrochemical dynamics, and redox reversibility. The large-sized [Fe(CN)6]4– vacancy in PA-free high-entropy PBA (HE-Cu) exhibits poor electronic transfer capability and accumulated lattice strain, while static local lattice distortion generated by Ti3+N6 octahedron in high-entropy composition (HE-Ti-PA) causes large lattice stress and Na-ion diffusion barrier. The complex structural evolution (monoclinic ↔ cubic ↔ tetragonal) originated from Jahn–Teller effect and octahedron instability can be completely restrained in HE-Cu-PA, achieving a zero-strain solid-solution Na-ion storage mechanism, where Mn, Fe, Co, and Cu-ions act as redox sites for charge compensation. Therefore, HE-Cu-PA delivers high initial capacity of 117.6 mAh·g−1, superior rate capability and ultra-long lifespan over 6000 cycles with ultra-low decay-rate of 0.0085% per cycle. And ultra-long cycling lifetime over 4000 cycles can be acquired for high-energy-density (338.0 Wh·kg−1) quasi-solid-state Na-ion full batteries.

This review presents the assembly and disassembly process of nanoparticle for antitumor application. The fundamental interactions governing nanoparticle structural transformations, fabrication strategies, and the biological functions enabled by assembly and disassembly are discussed in detail. Current challenges and future perspectives are also outlined to meet the threshold of clinical applications.

Nanoparticles (NPs) demonstrate tremendous potential in tumor therapy, diagnostic imaging, and precision medicine. Their performance is regulated by their assembly and disassembly, which influence drug delivery, therapeutic efficacy, and biosafety. However, existing reviews are confined to single therapeutic modalities, specific assembly strategies, or isolated functional optimization approaches, and do not systematically examine of NP assembly-disassembly processes and their biological functions. Accordingly, this review first discusses the driving forces behind NP assembly and disassembly, including hydrophobic, electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, and π–π interactions. Subsequently, the NP assembly strategies, covering ex situ and in situ self-assembly, are summarized, and the applications by which assembled NP extend blood circulation residence time, enhance tumor accumulation, protect therapeutic cargo, and potentiate therapeutic efficacy are examined. The major NP disassembly pathways, including bond cleavage, carrier degradation, coordination dissociation, supramolecular dissociation, and phase transition, are subsequently discussed, highlighting their involvement in drug release, intracellular trafficking, and molecular imaging. Finally, a trade-off-based assembly and disassembly discussion outlines the key challenges for clinical translation, aiming to guide the development of more effective NP-based therapeutic systems.

A structurally well-defined COF316@CuHHTP heterojunction matrix was constructed through epitaxial growth to enhance LDI-MS detection of serum metabolites. The continuous porous heterojunction promotes laser-energy utilization, charge/thermal transport, and analyte desorption/ionization, enabling sensitive small-molecule metabolic profiling and machine-learning-assisted discrimination of breast cancer (BC) from healthy controls (HC) in complex serum biofluids.

Early breast-cancer (BC) screening requires reliable molecular information from minimally invasive samples, yet sensitive detection of small-molecule metabolites in complex biofluids remains challenging. Herein, a structurally well-defined porous heterojunction matrix, COF316@CuHHTP, is developed through an in situ epitaxial-growth strategy for serum metabolomic screening. Porous and chemically robust COF316 serves as the core scaffold, while conductive CuHHTP forms a coherent shell for interfacial charge mediation. The resulting heterojunction enables efficient small-molecule capture and directional transport through the channels, while enhanced photothermal conversion and optimized charge transport collectively improve desorption/ionization efficiency and sensitivity for small-molecule metabolites. Consequently, COF316@CuHHTP enables sensitive and robust laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) analysis, with the maximum signal-to-noise (S/N) enhancement reaching ∼194-fold, ultralow limits of detection (LODs) down to the pmol level, and strong tolerance to high-salt and protein-rich conditions. Applied to serum analysis, this platform enables BC diagnosis with excellent discriminatory performance (AUC = 0.996) and identifies 20 disease-associated metabolic signatures.

Modulating eutectic intermolecular forces triggers spontaneous separation into a eutectic phase (P-phase) and an aqueous phase (N-phase). The P-phase immobilizes iodine species to achieve reversible four-electron redox, while the ethylene glycol-modified N-phase suppresses side reactions on the zinc anode. This temperature-tolerant biphasic system enables stable cycling of Zn–I2 batteries with high iodine loading across −30°C to 50 °C.

Aqueous four-electron zinc-iodine batteries (4eZIBs) hold great promise for long-term energy storage, but their practical application is severely hindered by the multiple drawbacks, including Zn dendrite growth, polyiodide shuttle, and I+ hydrolysis. Such limitations can be effectively mitigated by employing biphasic electrolytes featuring a liquid-liquid interface, which enables efficient immobilization of the dissolved reaction intermediates. However, such systems frequently employ toxic organic solvents, which not only pose flammability risks but also struggle to adapt to extreme temperature conditions. Herein, we design a novel self-stratified biphasic electrolyte via liquid-liquid phase separation of choline chloride (ChCl)-trifluoroacetamide (TFA) deep eutectic solvent (DES) and ZnSO4/H2O/ ethylene glycol solution. The upper DES phase effectively confines polyiodide anions, suppresses shuttle effect and stabilizes I+ species, while the bottom aqueous phase regulates Zn2+ solvation structure and inhibits dendrite formation and side reactions. Benefiting from the synergistic functional separation, the Zn-I2 battery realizes highly reversible four-electron conversion, effectively suppresses battery self-discharge, and delivers superior cycling stability over 21000 cycles as well as wide temperature tolerance ranging from −30°C to 50°C. This work offers novel insights into the design of safe and eco-friendly biphasic electrolytes and provides an effective strategy for the construction of high-performance 4eZIBs.

We present a ring-shaped, partially Pt-coated SiO2 colloidal micromotor that achieves speeds exceeding 20 µm s− 1 in 0.5 wt% H2O2. Surface charge of rings and substrate not only modulates speed but also reverses living crystallization behavior. This reversal stems from persistently opposite electroosmotic flows, which are governed by the charge sign of both surfaces, irrespective of flow symmetry.

Active colloidal systems, driven by self-propulsion and collective dynamics, offer a non-equilibrium route to soft materials. Realizing such materials hinges on creating novel active systems and deciphering their collective behavior. Here we present a new type of ring-shaped, partially-coated Pt-SiO2 colloidal micromotor and report our finding that the sign of the surface charge plays a crucial role in determining the propulsion speed and reversing the living crystallization behavior. Our results show that negatively charged ring-shaped micromotors can achieve high propulsion speeds exceeding 20 µm s− 1 at 0.5 wt% H2O2 solution, whereas positively charged rings move much more slowly. We further find that negatively and positively charged rings always exhibit opposite living crystallization behaviors: if one type can crystallize, the other cannot. We reveal that this opposite crystallization behavior stems from the consistently opposite EO flow directions, irrespective of whether the flow field is symmetric or asymmetric. Living crystallization occurs only when the inward EO flow region exceeds 50% of the ring circumference. By combining experiments and numerical simulations, we demonstrate that the sharp difference in the flow fields between oppositely charged ring-shaped micromotors originates from the different surface charge signs of the rings and the substrate.

Phase-separated elastomers with dispersed liquid-crystalline domains couple soft compliance with rapid mechanical adaptation. The liquid-crystalline phase relaxes stress during slow deformation but becomes load-bearing at high frequency, producing strong stiffening without loss of recoverability. This design suppresses crack growth, wear, and impact damage, offering a route to soft protective materials for dynamic service environments.

Elastomers are highly suitable for components requiring conformal deformation under load, but their low modulus sensitivity to frequency limits the material's ability to resist dynamic damage. Here we report a phase-separated elastomer that remains compliant at low loading frequency and stiffens strongly at high frequency, while preserving elastic recovery. The elastomer comprises a carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) matrix and dispersed liquid-crystalline (LC) domains. Under slow loading, the dispersed phase can relax local stress through mesogen reorientation. In contrast, the same domains become increasingly load-bearing under faster loading as this motion is constrained. As a result, the modulus of the phase-separated elastomer increases by 6.2-fold from 0.01 to 100 Hz, compared with about 2.2-fold for the neat XNBR. In addition to rate stiffening, the materials retain resilience, low hysteresis, and long-term dimensional stability, leading to significantly improved resistance to abrasive wear (77.4% reduction in mass loss), repeated impact (83.7% reduction in damaged ratio), and notch propagation (over 30 000 cycles) upon high-frequency loading, compared with the neat XNBR. These results show that cooperative dynamics between a recoverable rubber matrix and LC domains can provide a useful route to elastomers that combine compliance with adaptive mechanical protection.

Schematic of intrinsic/extrinsic stability factors and corresponding stabilization strategies for quasi-2D PeLEDs.

Quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have gained a strong competitive edge in next-generation display, thanks to their exceptional electronic and optical properties. In recent years, the performance of quasi-2D PeLEDs has advanced steadily, with their external quantum efficiency (EQE) climbing to approximately 30%, highlighting immense development potential. However, the operational stability of these devices remains a critical bottleneck, severely limiting their commercialization. Consequently, this review focuses on the influencing factors and mechanisms governing the stability of quasi-2D perovskites. Centering on the stability of quasi-2D PeLEDs, we first systematically analyze the key stability-affecting factors from the dual dimensions of intrinsic and extrinsic causes. Subsequently, we summarize strategies for enhancing the stability of quasi-2D PeLEDs, including component regulation, additive regulation, phase distribution regulation, device structure regulation, process parameter regulation, and so on. Finally, we outline the challenges and opportunities currently faced in achieving stable quasi-2D PeLEDs, providing a clear direction for the development of high-performance, long-lifetime quasi-2D PeLEDs.

Oxetane side‑chain engineering enables semiconducting polymers that are simultaneously photopatternable and stretchable. Upon UV irradiation with iodonium salt photoinitiators, oxetane groups undergo ring‑opening crosslinking, yielding solvent‑resistant networks that preserve high charge mobility and mechanical resilience. This design strategy establishes a pathway toward all‑photolithographic fabrication of high‑performance flexible electronics.

Flexible electronic devices demand semiconducting materials that combine high charge transport performance, mechanical resilience, and compatibility with advanced patterning techniques. Conventional photolithography is incompatible with polymer semiconductors, and existing photo-crosslinking strategies often compromise mobility due to backbone side reactions. Here we report an oxetane side‑chain engineering strategy that enables a diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)‑based random terpolymer, PDPPSe‑oxe17, to form robust crosslinked networks under mild UV irradiation with iodonium salt photoinitiators. Controlled incorporation of oxetane groups (17 mol%) preserves the electronic structure of the conjugated backbone while enabling rapid ring‑opening polymerization for high‑resolution photopatterning. The polymer exhibits a high hole mobility of 2.19 ± 0.28 cm2 V− 1 s− 1, which slightly increases to 2.27 ± 0.19 cm2 V− 1 s− 1 after crosslinking—representing one of the highest mobilities reported for photopatterned OFETs. The resulting 3D polyoxetane network imparts good mechanical robustness, allowing films to withstand 108% strain and retain ∼85% and ∼76% mobility at 30% and 50% strain. Even at 100% strain, the mobility remains ∼1.4 ± 0.12 cm2 V− 1 s− 1, whereas non‑crosslinked counterparts retain only ∼3% of their initial mobility. This work establishes a generalizable molecular design principle for intrinsically photopatternable and stretchable polymer semiconductors.

Stepwise screening first identifies layered MS2 hosts with balanced Na+ adsorption and diffusion, and thenMoS2/MoO2 through work function difference-driven interfacial charge redistribution. Introducing Ti3C2T x establishes a gradient built-in electric field that enhances Na+ transport, conversion reversibility, and low-temperature sodium storage.

Heterostructure engineering is considered a promising approach to improve sodium storage at low temperatures (LTs). However, the trial-and-error fabrication method as well as insufficient interface control dimensions in traditional two-component heterojunctions result in low efficiency and limited electrochemical performance improvement. Herein, a screening-driven strategy guided by theoretical descriptors is proposed to identify MoS2/MoO2 as the optimal binary heterostructure for improving sodium storage performance at LTs. Importantly, this result reveals a clear relationship between heterostructure configuration and electrochemical performance, where the work function (W f) difference and the resulting charge redistribution regulate Na+ storage behavior. Inspired by this understanding, Ti3C2T x MXene is introduced to construct a multi-interface system with cascaded W f alignment, establishing a gradient built-in electric field that overcomes the localized modulation of conventional binary heterostructures. Such heterostructure induces an electron-enriched region that acts as a Na+ reservoir, thereby facilitating efficient Na+ storage and transport at LTs. Meanwhile, the multiphase heterointerface optimizes the reaction pathway and mitigates kinetic limitations. Consequently, the MoS2/MoO2/Ti3C2Tx ternary heterostructure delivers high reversible capacity, excellent rate performance, and robust cycling stability even at −20°C. This work establishes a general and predictive strategy for accelerating the rational design of high-performance electrodes through the proposed screening framework.

MoS2/SiO2 superlattices strengthen broadband light–matter interaction through interlayer interference and electric-field localization, generating efficient photothermal conversion for self-powered PTE detection. Integrated with Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3 microscale thermoelectric units, the devices achieve 1550 nm imaging, high responsivity and detectivity, and wafer-scalable fabrication, advancing large-area infrared sensing. This architecture links optical engineering and thermoelectric integration for scalable infrared optoelectronics.

Photothermoelectric (PTE) detectors, which operate relying on the photothermal and thermoelectric effects, can overcome the intrinsic spectral limitations originated from material bandgaps in photon-driven detectors. However, the hardware implementation of devices leveraging light-heat-electricity cascade conversion remains challenging. Here, we report the construction of MoS2/SiO2 semiconductor/dielectric superlattice films with features of nanoscale layer definition, high crystalline quality, and wafer-level manufacturability. Benefiting from the interlayer interference and electric-field localization, the MoS2/SiO2 superlattices exhibit remarkably enhanced optical absorption across the visible to infrared spectrum, which enables the high photothermal energy conversion efficiency and substantial temperature rise exceeding 70 K. The PTE detection, implemented by integrating superlattice absorber with a microscale thermoelectric (μ-TE) platform based on Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3 P–N pairs, enables high-efficiency photodetection through strong light–matter interaction and optimized thermal management. The self-powered detector can stably operate over a broad-spectrum range extending to 1550 nm, demonstrating a temporal response (∼16 ms), high responsivity (17.6 V W−1), and detectivity exceeding 1.20 × 1010 Jones, comparable to state-of-the-art broadband PTE detectors. Array-level integration facilitates high-fidelity 1550 nm imaging with a 256-pixel prototype, while wafer-scale fabrication of over 3000 units on a 2-inch substrate confirms excellent uniformity, reproducibility and scalability, unlocking the potential for advanced large-scale imaging applications.

A circular upcycling strategy transforms waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) bottles into microwave-responsive Ni@C catalyst featuring lattice-distorted nickel cores and defective carbon shells. These strain-rich heterointerfaces enhance dielectric loss and promote localized microwave hotspots, accelerating peroxymonosulfate activation and polymer-chain activation during high-density polyethylene conversion into valuable hydrocarbons and oxygenates. This work offers a sustainable route for plastic-to-catalyst design and carbon recovery.

Direct catalytic upcycling of solid plastic waste is challenging owing to its chemical robustness, and existing conversion routes often require harsh conditions or costly catalysts. Here, we develop a circular plastic-to-catalyst-to-product strategy converting waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) bottles into a microwave-responsive composite catalyst for microwave-assisted catalytic plastic upcycling. First, microwave-assisted PET depolymerization and Ni-MOF nanorod crystallization generate abundant missing-cluster defects, inherited during pyrolysis as lattice-distorted Ni nano-cores and edge dislocations encapsulated within a defective carbon shell (Ni@C). These strain-rich Ni─C heterointerfaces enhance dielectric loss and interfacial polarization under microwave irradiation, promoting local microwave energy dissipation at catalyst-plastic contacts and accelerating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. Coupled microwave-thermal-chemical PMS activation initiates polymer-chain disordering, hydrogen abstraction, and C─C bond scission in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) particles before oxidative functionalization, making it more efficient than oxidation-dominated hydrothermal heating. Spectroscopic and strain-mapping analyses reveal that dislocation-rich Ni cores and carbon defects govern microwave energy dissipation and thus catalytic oxidation reactivity. The optimized Ni@C catalyst achieves up to 96% degradation of HDPE and converts products into valuable liquid hydrocarbons and oxygenates with limited phytotoxicity. Overall, this work integrates waste-derived catalyst design with microwave-assisted plastic conversion, offering a route toward circular plastic upcycling and carbon recovery.