Can Low Structural Anisotropy Produce High Optical Anisotropy? Anomalous Giant Optical Birefringent Effect in PIAlI in Focus.

Tetrahedral halides with broad transparency and large second harmonic effects have the potential to serve as mid-infrared wide-bandgap materials with balanced nonlinear-optical (NLO) properties. However, their regular tetrahedral motifs tend to exhibit low optical birefringence (Δ < 0.03) due to limited structural anisotropy, which constrains their practical phase-matched capability.

Revolutionizing CO Electrolysis: Fluent Gas Transportation within Hydrophobic Porous CuO.

The success of electrochemical CO reduction at high current densities hinges on precise interfacial transportation and the local concentration of gaseous CO. However, the creation of efficient CO transportation channels remains an unexplored frontier. In this study, we design and synthesize hydrophobic porous CuO spheres with varying pore sizes to unveil the nanoporous channel's impact on gas transfer and triple-phase interfaces.

A Fluoride-Rich Solid-Like Electrolyte Stabilizing Lithium Metal Batteries.

To address the problems associated with Li metal anodes, a fluoride-rich solid-like electrolyte (SLE) that combines the benefits of solid-state and liquid electrolytes is presented. Its unique triflate-group-enhanced frame channels facilitate the formation of a functional inorganic-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), which not only improves the reversibility and interfacial charge transfer of Li anodes but also ensures uniform and compact Li deposition. Furthermore, these triflate groups contribute to the decoupling of Li and provide hopping sites for rapid Li transport, enabling a high room-temperature ionic conductivity of 1.

Reducing the Surface Tension of Zn Anodes by an Abietic Acid Layer for High Redox Kinetics and Reversibility.

Aqueous zinc batteries are appealing devices for cost-effective and environmentally sustainable energy storage. However, the critical issues of uncontrolled dendrite propagation and side reactions with Zn anodes have hindered their practical applications. Inspired by the functions of the rosin flux in soldering, an abietic acid (ABA) layer is fabricated on the surface of Zn anodes (ABA@Zn).

Nanostructured Photothermal Materials for Environmental and Catalytic Applications.

Solar energy is a green and sustainable clean energy source. Its rational use can alleviate the energy crisis and environmental pollution. Directly converting solar energy into heat energy is the most efficient method among all solar conversion strategies.