Engineering Magnetic Heterostructures with Synergistic Regulation of Charge-Transfer and Spin-Ordering for Enhanced Water Oxidation.

The design of heterojunctions offers a crucial solution for energy conversion and storage challenges, but current research predominantly focuses on charge transfer benefits, often neglecting spin attribute regulation despite the increasing recognition of spin-sensitivity in many chemical reactions. In this study, a novel magnetic heterostructure, CoFeO@CoFeMoO, is designed to simultaneously modulate charge and spin characteristics, and systematically elucidated their synergistic impact on the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Experimental results and density functional theory calculations confirmed that the magnetic heterostructure exhibits both charge transfer and spin polarization.

Interfacial-Polarization Engineering in BNT-Based Bulk Ceramics for Ultrahigh Energy-Storage Density.

Ceramic capacitors, known for their exceptional energy-storage performance (ESP), are crucial components in high-pulsed power systems. However, their ESP is significantly constrained by breakdown strength (E), which is influenced by interfacial polarization. This study delves into the physics, characterization, and application of interfacial polarization.

Altermagnetism Induced by Sliding Ferroelectricity via Lattice Symmetry-Mediated Magnetoelectric Coupling.

Altermagnets, distinct from conventional ferromagnets or antiferromagnets, have recently attracted attention as the third category of collinear magnets, which exhibit the coexistence of zero net magnetization and spin polarization due to their unique lattice symmetries. Meanwhile, the additional layer degrees of freedom in multilayer sliding ferroelectrics offer opportunities for coupling with lattice symmetries, paving the way for an innovative approach to constructing multiferroic lattices. In this study, altermagnetic tuning in SnS/MnPSe/SnS heterostructures is achieved by breaking and restoration of lattice inversion symmetry through sliding ferroelectric switching.

A 2D low-buckled hexagonal honeycomb Weyl-point spin-gapless semiconductor family with the quantum anomalous Hall effect.

Spin-gapless semiconductors (SGSs), serving as superior alternatives to half-metals, open up new avenues in spintronics. Specifically, Weyl-point SGSs (WPSGSs) with ideal Weyl points at the Fermi energy level represent an optimal amalgamation of spintronics and topological physics. Moreover, considering spin-orbital coupling (SOC), most two-dimensional (2D) WPSGSs undergo transformation into half Chern insulators (HCIs) with the emergence of the quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE).

Advancing Metallic Lithium Anodes: A Review of Interface Design, Electrolyte Innovation, and Performance Enhancement Strategies.

Lithium (Li) metal is one of the most promising anode materials for next-generation, high-energy, Li-based batteries due to its exceptionally high specific capacity and low reduction potential. Nonetheless, intrinsic challenges such as detrimental interfacial reactions, significant volume expansion, and dendritic growth present considerable obstacles to its practical application. This review comprehensively summarizes various recent strategies for the modification and protection of metallic lithium anodes, offering insight into the latest advancements in electrode enhancement, electrolyte innovation, and interfacial design, as well as theoretical simulations related to the above.

Mechanocatalytic Hydrogen Generation in Centrosymmetric Barium Dititanate.

Novel phase of nano materials that break the traditional structural constraints are highly desirable, particularly in the field of mechanocatalysis, offering versatile applications ranging from energy to medical diagnosis and treatment. In this work, a distinct layered barium dititanate (BaTiO) nanocrystals using a pH-modulated hydrothermal method is successfully synthesized. These nanocrystals exhibit outstanding hydrogen generation capability (1160 µmol g h in pure water) and demonstrate remarkable performance in organic dye degradation using ultrasonication.

Synergy of Oxygen Octahedra Distortion and Polar Nanodomains Induced Emergent Electrocaloric Effect in NaNbO-Based Ceramics.

High-performance electrocaloric materials are essential for the development of solid-state cooling technologies; however, the contradiction of the electrocaloric effect (ECE) and temperature span in ferroelectrics frustrates practical applications. In this work, through modulating oxygen octahedra distortion and short-range polar nanodomains with moderate coupling strength, an EC value of Δ ∼ 0.30 K with an ultrawide temperature span of 85 K is obtained in the = 0.

Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of N-Type PbSe Through Semi-Coherent Nanostructure by AgCuTe Alloying.

N-type PbSe thermoelectric materials encounter challenges in improving the power factor due to the single-band structure near the Fermi level, which obstructs typical band convergence. The primary strategy for enhancing the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) for n-type PbSe involves reducing lattice thermal conductivity (κ) by introducing various defect structures. However, lattice mismatches resulting from internal defects within the matrix can diminish carrier mobility, thereby affecting electrical transport properties.

Structural Engineering of Prussian Blue Analogues Enabling All-Climate and Ultralong Cycling Sodium-Ion Batteries.

The development of cost-efficient, long-lifespan, and all-climate sodium-ion batteries is of great importance for advancing large-scale energy storage but is plagued by the lack of suitable cathode materials. Here, we report low-cost Na-rich Mn-based Prussian blue analogues with superior rate capability and ultralong cycling stability over 10,000 cycles via structural optimization with electrochemically inert Ni atoms. Their thermal stability, all-climate properties, and potential in full cells are investigated in detail.

Magnetic Field-induced Disordered Phase of Spinel Oxides for High Battery Performance.

The disordered phase of spinel LiMnNiO (LNMO) is more appealing as high-voltage cathode due to its superior electrochemical performance compared to its ordered counterpart. Various methods are developed to induce a phase transition. However, the resulting materials often suffer from capacity degradation due to the adverse influence of accompanying Mn ions.

A Core/Shell BiS/BiVO Nanoarchitecture for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation.

The construction of nanostructured heterostructure is a potent strategy for achieving high-performance photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Among these, constructing BiVO-based heterostructure stands out as a promising method for optimizing light-harvesting efficiency and reducing severe charge recombination. Herein, we present a novel approach to fabricate a type II heterostructure of core/shell BiS/BiVO using electrolytic deposition and successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) methods.

Hidden Real Topology and Unusual Magnetoelectric Responses in Two-Dimensional Antiferromagnets.

Recently, the real topology has been attracting widespread interest in two dimensions (2D). Here, based on first-principles calculations and theoretical analysis, the monolayer CrSeO (ML-CrSeO) is revealed as the first material example of a 2D antiferromagnetic (AFM) real Chern insulator (RCI) with topologically protected corner states. Unlike previous RCIs, it is found that the real topology of the ML-CrSeO is rooted in one certain mirror subsystem of the two spin channels, and cannot be directly obtained from all the valence bands in each spin channel as commonly believed.

Vacancies tailoring lattice anharmonicity of Zintl-type thermoelectrics.

While phonon anharmonicity affects lattice thermal conductivity intrinsically and is difficult to be modified, controllable lattice defects routinely function only by scattering phonons extrinsically. Here, through a comprehensive study of crystal structure and lattice dynamics of Zintl-type Sr(Cu,Ag,Zn)Sb thermoelectric compounds using neutron scattering techniques and theoretical simulations, we show that the role of vacancies in suppressing lattice thermal conductivity could extend beyond defect scattering. The vacancies in SrZnSb significantly enhance lattice anharmonicity, causing a giant softening and broadening of the entire phonon spectrum and, together with defect scattering, leading to a ~ 86% decrease in the maximum lattice thermal conductivity compared to SrCuSb.

Sm, Nd doped BiFeOepitaxial film for photodetector with extremely large on-off current ratio.

BiFeOis one of the star materials in the field of ferroelectric photovoltaic for its relatively narrow bandgap (2.2-2.7 eV) and better visible light absorption.

Ultra-High-Density Ferroelectric Array Formed by Sliding Ferroelectric Moiré Superlattices.

2D van der Waals (vdW) materials offer infinite possibilities for constructing unique ferroelectrics through simple layer stacking and rotation. In this work, we stack nonferroelectric GeS and ferroelectric CuInPS to form heterostructures by combining sliding ferroelectric polarization with displacement ferroelectric polarization to achieve multiple polarization states. First-principles calculations reveal that the polarization reversal of the CuInPS component in the GeS/CuInPS/GeS heterostructure can simultaneously drive the switching of sliding ferroelectric polarization, displaying a robust coupling of the two polarizations and leading to the overall polarization switching.

Piezoelectricity of BiSe Nanosheet.

BiSe, one of the most extensively studied topological insulators, has received significant attention, and abundant research has been dedicated to exploring its surface electronic properties. However, little attention has been given to its piezoelectric properties. Herein, we investigate the piezoelectric response in a five-layer BiSe nanosheet using scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques.

Magnetic topological materials in two-dimensional: theory, material realization and application prospects.

Two-dimensional (2D) magnetism and nontrivial band topology are both areas of research that are currently receiving significant attention in the study of 2D materials. Recently, a novel class of materials has emerged, known as 2D magnetic topological materials, which elegantly combine 2D magnetism and nontrivial topology. This field has garnered increasing interest, especially due to the emergence of several novel magnetic topological states that have been generalized into the 2D scale.

Achieving Ultralow Lattice Thermal Conductivity and High Thermoelectric Performance in SnTe by Alloying with MnSbSe.

The manipulation of defect chemistry is crucial in the design of high-performance thermoelectric materials. Studies have demonstrated that alloying compounds within the I-V-VI family, such as AgSbTe, NaSbTe, etc., can effectively enhance the thermoelectric performance of SnTe by controlling the hole concentration and reducing the lattice thermal conductivity.

Transient Magnetoelectric Coupling Induced by the Dynamic Intertwinement between Exchange Striction and Compensation in GdFeO.

In this study, we investigate the dynamic magnetoelectric (ME) coupling behaviors of GdFeO under pulsed magnetic fields. When a magnetic field is applied along the -axis, and the temperature is near the compensation temperature ( = 3.5 K), we observe a subtle transition involving the reversal of Fe moments at approximately 0.

Advances in Wearable Piezoelectric Sensors for Hazardous Workplace Environments.

Recent advances in wearable energy harvesting technology as solutions to occupational health and safety programs are presented. Workers are often exposed to harmful conditions-especially in the mining and construction industries-where chronic health issues can emerge over time. While wearable sensors technology can aid in early detection and long-term exposure tracking, powering them and the associated risks are often an impediment for their widespread use, such as the need for frequent charging and battery safety.

Extreme phonon anharmonicity underpins superionic diffusion and ultralow thermal conductivity in argyrodite AgSnSe.

Ultralow thermal conductivity and fast ionic diffusion endow superionic materials with excellent performance both as thermoelectric converters and as solid-state electrolytes. Yet the correlation and interdependence between these two features remain unclear owing to a limited understanding of their complex atomic dynamics. Here we investigate ionic diffusion and lattice dynamics in argyrodite AgSnSe using synchrotron X-ray and neutron scattering techniques along with machine-learned molecular dynamics.