Device deficiency and degradation diagnosis model of Perovskite solar cells through hysteresis analysis.

While operational stability has evolved to be the primary issue for the practical applications of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the understanding of the origins of device degradation is still limited. Hysteresis is known as a unique and significant feature of PSCs. The hysteresis behavior of the current density-voltage (J-V) curves, governed by the interaction between the evolving ion-induced electric field and the carrier transport/recombination, offers rich and important information about the physical properties of the device.

Dual-Steric Hindrance Modulation of Interface Electrochemistry for Potassium-Ion Batteries.

Electrolyte chemistry regulation is a feasible and effective approach to achieving a stable electrode-electrolyte interface. How to realize such regulation and establish the relationship between the liquid-phase electrolyte environment and solid-phase electrode remains a significant challenge, especially in solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) for metal-ion batteries. In this work, solvent/anion steric hindrance is regarded as an essential factor in exploring the electrolyte chemistry regulation on forming ether-based K-dominated SEI interface through the cross-combination strategy.

The dual role of coastal mangroves: Sinks and sources of microplastics in rapidly urbanizing areas.

Mangrove ecosystems are vital for coastal protection, biodiversity, and pollution interception, yet their interactions with microplastics in rapidly urbanizing regions remain underexplored. This study investigated the microplastic dynamics in the Maozhou River and Dasha River, along with the coastal Xiwan Mangrove Park in the Pearl River Estuary, the second largest estuary in China. Samples were collected from mangrove and surrounding areas, identifying microplastics using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) techniques.

Enhancing Ozone Decomposition in Humid Environments through Carbon Doping to Disrupt the Hydrogen Bond Network in Mullite YMnO.

The strong adsorption of water molecules at the active site of the catalyst presents significant challenges in ozone decomposition, particularly at room temperature and in humid environments. To address this issue, we doped carbon atoms into the Mn-mullite YMnO catalyst to replace oxygen, resulting in efficient and stable ozone decomposition under highly humid conditions. Utilizing DFT calculations, our study demonstrated that carbon doping disrupts hydrogen bond networks on the catalyst surface, thereby reducing water adsorption.

Evidence of Quasi-Na Metallic Clusters in Sodium Ion Batteries through In Situ X-Ray Diffraction.

Carbonaceous materials have been considered the most promising anode in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their low cost, good electrical conductivity, and structural stability. The main challenge of carbonaceous anodes prior to their commercialization is low initial coulomb efficiencies, derived from a lack of an efficient technique to reveal a fundamental comprehension of sodium storage mechanisms. Here, the direct observation of quasi-Na metallic clusters in carbonaceous anodes during cycling through in situ XRD is reported.

Machine learning and analytic hierarchy process integration for selecting a sustainable tractor.

Selecting the appropriate tractor for small-scale farms is a complex process due to the multitude of technical, environmental, and economic criteria that must be evaluated. This study addresses this challenge by integrating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with machine learning (ML) to reduce the number of criteria and simplify the decision-making process. The research aims to determine the most relevant criteria aligned with sustainable development goals for selecting the right tractor, focusing on small farms in the Egyptian Delta.

Modeling transient mixed flows in sewer systems with data fusion via physics-informed machine learning.

Transitions between free-surface and pressurized flows, known as transient mixed flows, have posed significant challenges in urban drainage systems (UDS), e.g., pipe bursts, road collapses, and geysers.

Enhancement of Water Productivity and Energy Efficiency in Sorption-based Atmospheric Water Harvesting Systems: From Material, Component to System Level.

To address the increasingly serious water scarcity across the world, sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting (SAWH) continues to attract attention among various water production methods, due to it being less dependent on climatic and geographical conditions. Water productivity and energy efficiency are the two most important evaluation indicators. Therefore, this review aims to comprehensively and systematically summarize and discuss the water productivity and energy efficiency enhancement methods for SAWH systems based on three levels, from material to component to system.

Construction of electrochemical immunosensors based on Au@MXene and Au@CuS nanocomposites for sensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen.

Cancer is currently one of the major causes of human mortality and has received widespread attention. In this paper, Au@CuS composite nanomaterial as a sandwich immunosensor tag for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) detection strategy was studied. Herein, Au@CuS composite nanomaterials were obtained by Au nanoparticles modified with CuS, which were combined with secondary antibody (Ab) to construct an immunosensor that interacted with HO to produce a current response.

Innovative cancer therapy: Unleashing the potential of macromolecule-loaded mesoporous bioactive glasses for precision diagnosis and treatment.

Cancer continues to pose a formidable threat, claiming millions of lives annually. A beacon of hope in this battle lies in the realm of bioactive glasses, which have undergone a remarkable evolution over the past five decades. Among these, mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) emerge as a dynamic subset endowed with customizable attributes such as high surface area and porosity.

Ether-Free Alkaline Polyelectrolytes for Water Electrolyzers: Recent Advances and Perspectives.

Anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) have attracted great interest for their potential as sustainable, environmentally friendly, low-cost sources of renewable energy. Alkaline polyelectrolytes play a crucial role in AEMWEs, determining their performance and longevity. Because heteroatom-containing polymers have been shown to have poor durability in alkaline conditions, this review focuses on ether-free alkaline polyelectrolytes, which are more chemically stable.

Heavy metal stabilization via copyrolysis of comodified vermiculite with municipal sludge/aged refuse: Comprehensive analysis of hazards and characteristics of multiple coexisting heavy metals.

Mg impregnation, intercalation-exfoliation, and thermal activation methods were employed to create various types of modified vermiculite (MV), with their combination creating linked-modified vermiculite (LMV). Copyrolysis of MV with municipal sludge (MS)/aged refuse (AF) in a fluidized bed improved heavy metal (HM) stability compared to copyrolysis of original vermiculite, with LMV demonstrating superior performance compared to other types of MV. The HM retention rate, potential ecological risk assessment, and form distribution analysis supported the efficacy of the approach.

Identification and hazard prioritization of hydrophobic organic chemicals in flowback and produced water particles: Implications for water management.

Hydraulic fracturing flowback and produced water (HF-FPW) has raised significant concerns owing to its potential impact on aquatic organisms and human health. Understanding the chemical composition of HF-FPW is crucial for developing appropriate management and remediation strategies. Herein, we performed nontarget screening on hydrophobic organic chemicals in the particulate phase of FPW (P-FPW) using gas chromatography-Orbitrap mass spectrometry coupled with cheminformatic analysis.

Electric Demulsification Membrane Technology for Confined Separation of Oil-Water Emulsions.

Demulsification technology for separation of oil-water (O/W) emulsions, especially those stabilized by surfactants, is urgently needed yet remains highly challenging due to their inherent stability characteristics. Electrocoalescence has emerged as a promising solution owing to its simplicity, efficacy, and versatility, yet hindered by substantial energy consumption (e.g.

Global metagenomic survey identifies sewage-derived hgcAB microorganisms as key contributors to riverine methylmercury production.

Methylmercury (MeHg) in aquatic systems poses a serious public health risk through bioaccumulation in the aquatic food web. In recent years, MeHg has been observed to increase to concerning levels globally in rivers near cities; however, the causes of this increase are not well understood. Here, we demonstrate the significant role of sewage contamination by analyzing over 1,300 publicly available metagenomes in urban rivers worldwide, and conducting experiments with water samples across China.

Climate change is intensifying rainfall erosivity and soil erosion in West Africa.

Soil erosion is a critical environmental challenge with significant implications for agriculture, water quality, and ecosystem stability. Understanding its dynamics is essential for sustainable environmental management and societal welfare. Here, we analyze rainfall erosivity and erosion patterns across West Africa (WAF) during the historical (1982-2014), near future (2028-2060), and far future (2068-2100) periods under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs 370 and 585).

Combined contamination of tire and road wear microplastics with heavy metals in expressway tunnels: occurrence characteristics and risk assessment.

Tire and road wear microplastics (TRWMPs), as an important type of microplastics, have attracted increasing attention. However, current studies on their contamination within expressway tunnels remain limited. Therefore, we investigated the occurrence characteristics of TRWMPs in dusts from various tunnels, and combined contamination with heavy metals (HMs).

Covalent organic framework membranes with vertically aligned nanorods for efficient separation of rare metal ions.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as promising platforms for membrane separations, while remaining challenging for separating ions in a fast and selective way. Here, we propose a concept of COF membranes with vertically aligned nanorods for efficient separation of rare metal ions. A quaternary ammonium-functionalized monomer is rationally designed to synthesize COF layers on porous substrates via interfacial synthesis.

Driving sustainability in the sugarcane industry: Life Cycle Assessment of conventional and emerging spraying technologies in Tanzania.

Sugarcane dominates global sugar and bioethanol production, involving extensive cultivation and supply chain activities. The sugarcane development encounters challenges, such as climate change, diseases, pests, and water scarcity, affecting growth and yields. Sugarcane management often involves the use of pesticides, which risk soil and water contamination.