@article{21001, abstract = {Copper chalcogenides offer high charge mobility and low lattice thermal conductivity but suffer from structural instability due to dynamic Cu+ migration. Here, we report a colloidal hot-injection synthesis of ternary cesium copper selenide (CsCu5Se3) nanocrystals (NCs), achieving precise control over phase, size, and morphology through tailored precursor-ligand modulation. This strategy enabled systematic exploration of stable and metastable Cs–Cu–Se phases and mechanistic investigation of nucleation and growth, providing insight into phase modulation and dimensional control at the nanoscale. CsCu5Se3 NCs exhibit low lattice thermal conductivity (∼0.5 Wm–1K–1) and an experimental zT of 0.27 at 718 K. Complementary first-principles calculations, consistent with experimental electronic and optical responses, predict a zT of 1.05 at 1000 K. These findings elucidate the formation dynamics of CsCu5Se3 and establish ABZ (A = alkali, B = metal, Z = chalcogen) NCs as tunable platforms for advanced functional applications.}, author = {Patil, Niraj Nitish and Wu, Ruiqi and Fiedler, Christine and Kapuria, Nilotpal and Nan, Bingfei and Navita, Navita and Cabot, Andreu and Ibáñez, Maria and Ryan, Kevin M. and Ganose, Alex M. and Singh, Shalini}, issn = {2380-8195}, journal = {ACS Energy Letters}, number = {1}, pages = {481--488}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, title = {{Layered alkali-copper selenides: Deciphering thermoelectric properties and reaction pathways for nanostructuring β-CsCu5Se3}}, doi = {10.1021/acsenergylett.5c02909}, volume = {11}, year = {2026}, } @article{21037, abstract = {The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) remains a critical bottleneck in fuel cells and metal-air batteries due to the lack of highly efficient electrocatalysts. Here, we report a simple strategy for synthesizing a palladium-based heterostructured electrocatalyst supported on a carbon nitride matrix (PdH-Pd@CN), which exhibits remarkable ORR activity with a half-wave potential of 0.91 V and excellent durability in 0.1 M KOH. Within the heterostructure, hydrogen intercalation expands the Pd lattice, while interstitial hydrogen doping facilitates charge transfer from Pd to H owing to their electronegativity difference. These synergistic effects modulate the electronic structure, thereby enhancing both activity and stability. When employed in Zn-air batteries, PdH-Pd@CN delivers a maximum power density of 176 mW cm− (Liu et al., 2025) and capacity of 805 mAh g− (Sun et al., 2021) Zn. These findings demonstrate the strong potential of PdH-Pd@CN as an efficient ORR electrocatalyst for next-generation metal-air batteries and related energy technologies.}, author = {Shi, Changwei and Horta, Sharona and Ibáñez, Maria and Kallio, Tanja and Martínez-Alanis, Paulina R. and Wang, Xiang and Cabot, Andreu}, issn = {0009-2509}, journal = {Chemical Engineering Science}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Hydrogen induced palladium-based heterojunction electrocatalysts to enhance the oxygen reduction reaction performance}}, doi = {10.1016/j.ces.2026.123348}, volume = {324}, year = {2026}, } @article{18558, abstract = {The current investigation presents a facile and cost-effective sol-gel approach for the synthesis of phase-pure multiferroic bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) nanoparticles (BFO NPs) by using propylene glycol as a complexing agent, intended for use as a photocatalyst to efficiently degrade organic dyes in aqueous solutions under natural sunlight. Characterization techniques, including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), elucidated a plausible reaction pathway for the formation of phase-pure BFO NPs. Rietveld refinement of the XRD data, in conjunction with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy, confirmed the synthesis of single-phase BFO NPs at 400 °C, displaying a space group of R3c and an average crystallite size of 25 nm. UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy revealed an absorption cut-off wavelength near 590 nm, corresponding to a band gap of 2.08 eV, indicating the capability of BFO NPs to absorb visible light within the 400–590 nm range. BFO NPs have shown efficient and rapid photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) in acidic, neutral, and basic pH conditions under natural sunlight. This is attributed to the intrinsic ferroelectric and ferromagnetic ordering present in synthesized BFO NPs which facilitates the separation and migration of photoinduced charges through band bending phenomena at the interface.}, author = {Verma, Madhu and Kumar, Ajay and Thakur, Vijay Kumar and Maurya, Akanksha and Kumar, Sachin and Singh, Saurabh and Srivastav, Simant Kumar}, issn = {1573-4846}, journal = {Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology}, pages = {356--373}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, title = {{Efficient and rapid sunlight-driven photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye using multiferroic BiFeO3 nanoparticles}}, doi = {10.1007/s10971-024-06607-2}, volume = {113}, year = {2025}, } @article{18701, abstract = {We developed in-situ engineered polycrystalline polythiophene (PTh) and its composite with reduced graphene oxide (PTh-rGO) via a simple chemical synthesis. The PTh-rGO-based electrodes in a symmetrical device with xanthan gum in 1 M aq. Na2SO4 as an electrolyte, delivers a specific capacitance (Csp) of 114.7 F g–1 (electrode) and 28.7 F g–1 (cell) at an applied current density of 0.2 A g−1. The maximum energy and power densities recorded from the device were 588.0 mWh kg−1 and 1.1 kW kg−1 at 1.5 A g−1. The device exhibited a remarkable retention of Csp of 98.9 % over 10,000 continuous galvanostatic charge–discharge cycles highlighting an excellent performance. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis emphasizes material’s excellent structural integrity. This is attributed to the crystalline phases present in the matrix.}, author = {Mahato, Neelima and Singh, Saurabh and Sreekanth, T. V.M. and Yoo, Kisoo and Kim, Jonghoon}, issn = {1873-4979}, journal = {Materials Letters}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{In-situ engineered highly-crystalline Polythiophene empowered electrochemical capacitor-II: Anomalous electrochemical charge storage behavior of Polythiophene-rGO composite}}, doi = {10.1016/j.matlet.2024.137869}, volume = {382}, year = {2025}, } @article{18707, abstract = {Lead Sulfide (PbS) has garnered attention as a promising thermoelectric (TE) material due to its natural abundance and cost-effectiveness. However, its practical application is hindered by inherently high lattice thermal conductivity and low electrical conductivity. In this study, we address these challenges by surface functionalization of PbS nanocrystals using Cu2S molecular complexes-based ligand displacement. The molecular complexes facilitate the incorporation of Cu into the PbS matrix and leads to the formation of nanoscale defects, dislocations, and strain fields while optimizing the charge carrier transport. The structural modulations enhance the phonon scattering and lead to a significant reduction in lattice thermal conductivity of 0.60 W m−1K−1 at 867 K in the PbS-Cu2S system. Simultaneously, the Cu incorporation improves electrical conductivity by increasing both carrier concentration and mobility with carefully optimized the content of Cu2S molecular complexes. These synergistic modifications yield a peak figure-of-merit (zT) of 1.05 at 867 K for the PbS-1.0 %Cu2S sample, representing an almost twofold enhancement in TE performance compared to pristine PbS. This work highlights the effectiveness of surface treatment in overcoming the intrinsic limitations of PbS-based materials and presents a promising strategy for the development of high-efficiency TE systems.}, author = {Shu, Haibo and Zhao, Mingjun and Lu, Shaoqing and Wan, Shanhong and Genç, Aziz and Huang, Lulu and Ibáñez, Maria and Lim, Khak Ho and Hong, Min and Liu, Yu}, issn = {1095-7103}, journal = {Journal of Colloid and Interface Science}, pages = {703--712}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Influence of surface engineering on the transport properties of lead sulfide nanomaterials}}, doi = {10.1016/j.jcis.2024.12.067}, volume = {683}, year = {2025}, } @article{19779, abstract = {The transverse thermoelectric (Nernst) effect is a powerful probe for studying the electronic and structural properties of materials. In this study, we employ transverse thermoelectric measurements to investigate the ferroelectric distortion in the topological crystalline insulator (TCI) Pb0.60Sn0.40Te, a compound derived from PbTe and SnTe, known for their exceptional thermoelectric performance and distinct ferroelectric properties. By leveraging Nernst measurements, we provide direct evidence of ferroelectric distortion in this TCI, corroborated by Shubnikov–de Haas quantum oscillations that confirm the presence of two topologically nontrivial Fermi pockets. Density functional theory calculations show that these pockets originate from the L and T points in the Brillouin zone of the distorted structure within the TCI phase. Raman spectroscopy further identifies a structural phase transition below 50 K, consistent with the quantum oscillation observations. This observation is further substantiated by temperature-dependent synchrotron X-ray pair distribution function analysis and transmission electron microscopy, which confirm the local off-centering of cations at low temperature. These findings underscore the potential of transverse thermoelectric measurements in unveiling ferroelectric distortions and their role in modulating topological quantum states, opening new directions for research into the synergy between ferroelectricity and topological phases.}, author = {Negi, Pranav and He, Bin and Ukolov, Denis and Horta, Sharona and Maji, Krishnendu and Mao, Ning and Peshcherenko, Nikolai and Yanda, Premakumar and Yao, Mengyu and Dutta, Moinak and Robredo, Iñigo and Iraola, Mikel and Vergniory, Maia G. and Lemmens, Peter and Zhang, Yang and Shekhar, Chandra and Ibáñez, Maria and Felser, Claudia and Roychowdhury, Subhajit}, issn = {1520-5126}, journal = {Journal of the American Chemical Society}, number = {22}, pages = {18704--18711}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, title = {{Evidence of ferroelectric distortions in topological crystalline insulators via transverse thermoelectric measurements}}, doi = {10.1021/jacs.5c01700}, volume = {147}, year = {2025}, } @article{19847, abstract = {Prussian blue (PB) and Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) are a class of porous materials composed of transition metal cations, cyanide ligands, and alkali metal cations. Their ability to intercalate and deintercalate ions within their framework pores, coupled with the adaptability of their crystal structure to electrochemical changes, underpins their success in battery applications. PBAs with Fe or Co as the active site exhibit high redox potentials (vs SHE) and have been extensively explored as cathode materials, with well-documented chemistry, crystal structures, and electrochemical properties. In contrast, PBAs with Cr or Mn as the active site display lower redox potentials and remain significantly underexplored as anode materials. This gap has led to fewer reported compounds and a less comprehensive understanding of their structural and electrochemical behavior, leaving the field relatively opaque. In this perspective, we comprehensively analyze the challenges involved in producing and employing PBAs with low redox potentials as active battery materials. Conversely, we propose numerous horizons and ask fundamental questions that should pave the way for future research to advance the field.}, author = {Palacios Corella, Mario and Echevarría, Igor and Santana Santos, Carla and Schuhmann, Wolfgang and Ventosa, Edgar and Ibáñez, Maria}, issn = {1520-5002}, journal = {Chemistry of Materials}, number = {12}, pages = {4203--4226}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, title = {{Prussian blue analogues as anode materials for battery applications: Complexities and horizons}}, doi = {10.1021/acs.chemmater.5c00213}, volume = {37}, year = {2025}, } @inproceedings{20054, author = {Horta, Sharona}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the MATSUS Spring 2025 Conference}, location = {Sevilla, Spain}, publisher = {Fundació de la comunitat valenciana SCITO}, title = {{Solid state diffusion in metal-semiconductors core-shell nanoparticle}}, doi = {10.29363/nanoge.matsusspring.2025.220}, year = {2025}, } @inproceedings{20055, abstract = {Supercrystals represent three-dimensional orderings of colloidal nanocrystals (NCs), showcasing collective properties in photonics, phononics, and electronics applications.1,2 Recent studies have shown that such assemblies are directly produced during nanocrystal reactions.3–6 However, a fundamental understanding of in situ formed supercrystals that withstand typical NC purification processes remains underexplored, which is important for further use. Herein, we report the reaction precursor-mediated formation of stable PbTe supercrystals. Rationalizing the formation of these assemblies through small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements, we unveil their formation mechanism. Our findings reveal that the supercrystal formation occurs in the presence of an excess of lead oleates in the crude solution. It should be noted that the formed supercrystals can be stabilized under specific conditions determined by the lead oleate cluster concentration, content of trioctylphosphine telluride (TOP-Te), NC size and the need of an annealing step at mild conditions. Furthermore, this approach allows for the continuous growth of a secondary phase within the supercrystal; for example in the case of PbTe supercrystals, a PbS shell can be grown on each PbTe NC constituent, resulting in core-shell PbTe-PbS supercrystals. Our work elucidates that reaction precursors play an important role in in situ SC formation and stabilization, implying the possibility of applying this knowledge to other NC reactions.}, author = {Lee, Seungho and Balazs, Daniel and Horta, Sharona and Rayaroth Puthiyaveettil, Aiswarya and Ibáñez, Maria}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the MATSUS Spring 2025 Conference}, location = {Sevilla, Spain}, publisher = {Fundació de la comunitat valenciana SCITO}, title = {{Reaction precursor-mediated formation of stable supercrystals in colloidal nanocrystal synthesis: PbTe case}}, doi = {10.29363/nanoge.matsusspring.2025.173}, year = {2025}, } @article{20191, abstract = {High-entropy alloys (HEAs) show great potential for catalyzing complex multi-step reactions, but optimizing their parameters, i.e., composition, but also their crystallinity and morphology, remains a significant challenge. In this study, FeCoNiMoW HEAs are synthesized into either amorphous nanosheets (HEANS) or crystalline nanoparticles (HEANP), which are then used to catalyze the lithium–sulfur (Li–S) reaction of Li–S batteries (LSBs). Evaluations in symmetric cells, coin cells, and pouch cells reveal that HEANS significantly enhance LSB performance, achieving initial discharge capacities up to 1632 mAh g−1. The batteries also exhibit excellent cycling stability over 1000 cycles at 3Cand maintain high-rate performance up to 10C with a capacity of 614 mAh g−1. Comprehensive in situ analyses and density functional theory calculations demonstrate that amorphous HEANS provide more active sites, better ionic conductivity and stronger chemical interactions with lithium polysulfides (LiPS). These properties effectively suppress the shuttle effect, promote the complete S8 → Li2S conversion by reducing the impedance of the solid-electrolyte interphase, and accelerate the Li2S4 → Li2S2 step by lowering the nucleation energy barrier. Overall, this study highlights the superior catalytic properties of amorphous 2D HEAs in LSBs and offers new insights into the mechanisms of LiPS conversion.}, author = {He, Ren and Lee, Seungho and Ding, Yang and Huang, Chen and Lu, Xuan and Zheng, Lirong and Yu, Ao and Zhang, Chaoyue and Li, Canhuang and Bi, Xiaoyu and Li, Yaqiang and Liao, Yaqi and Li, Junshan and Ostovari Moghaddam, Ahmad and Yernar, Salimov and Xu, Ying and Ibáñez, Maria and Zhang, Chaoqi and Yang, Linlin and Zhou, Yingtang and Cabot, Andreu}, issn = {1616-3028}, journal = {Advanced Functional Materials}, publisher = {Wiley}, title = {{Amorphous high entropy alloy nanosheets enabling robust Li–S batteries}}, doi = {10.1002/adfm.202513859}, year = {2025}, } @article{20252, abstract = {Zirconia nanocrystals (ZrO2 NCs) are a stable host material for lanthanides, but their performance lags behind that of the leading NaYF4 nanomaterials. Here, we leverage surface chemistry and core/shell architectures to uncover the contribution of dopants at the nanocrystal surface and of dopants in the nanocrystal bulk. We first assess the doping efficiency by ICP and find that, while Eu is almost quantitatively incorporated, the other lanthanides (La, Ce, Tb, Tm, Er, Yb) have about 50% incorporation efficiency over the studied doping range of 1–10%. We then determine the nanocrystal surface chemistry using NMR spectroscopy, despite the additional spectral line broadening caused by the paramagnetic lanthanide dopants. By varying the surface ligands and measuring the photoluminescence, we resolve the spectroscopic signals that are sensitive to a change in surface chemistry. Time-resolved emission spectra further reinforce the notion of a bulk component with a long luminescent lifetime and a surface component with a fast lifetime. Upon shelling Eu- or Tb-doped zirconia NCs with pure zirconia, the surface component disappears, and the photoluminescence quantum yield increases. We further functionalized the surface of the core/shell particles with oleylphosphonic acid ligands to obtain excellent dispersibility. These results show that lanthanide-doped zirconia NCs can be engineered to eliminate deactivation pathways.}, author = {Reichholf, Nico and Horta, Sharona and Van Der Heggen, David and Seno, Carlotta and Pulparayil Mathew, Jikson and Ibáñez, Maria and Smet, Philippe F. and De Roo, Jonathan}, issn = {1936-086X}, journal = {ACS Nano}, number = {33}, pages = {30371--30382}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, title = {{Identification and elimination of surface emission in lanthanide (Co)doped zirconia nanocrystals}}, doi = {10.1021/acsnano.5c09137}, volume = {19}, year = {2025}, } @article{20329, abstract = {Nanocrystals (NCs) of various compositions have made important contributions to science and technology, with their impact recognized by the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery and synthesis of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). Over four decades of research into NCs has led to numerous advancements in diverse fields, such as optoelectronics, catalysis, energy, medicine, and recently, quantum information and computing. The last 10 years since the predecessor perspective “Prospect of Nanoscience with Nanocrystals” was published in ACS Nano have seen NC research continuously evolve, yielding critical advances in fundamental understanding and practical applications. Mechanistic insights into NC formation have translated into precision control over NC size, shape, and composition. Emerging synthesis techniques have broadened the landscape of compounds obtainable in colloidal NC form. Sophistication in surface chemistry, jointly bolstered by theoretical models and experimental findings, has facilitated refined control over NC properties and represents a trusted gateway to enhanced NC stability and processability. The assembly of NCs into superlattices, along with two-dimensional (2D) photolithography and three-dimensional (3D) printing, has expanded their utility in creating materials with tailored properties. Applications of NCs are also flourishing, consolidating progress in fields targeted early on, such as optoelectronics and catalysis, and extending into areas ranging from quantum technology to phase-change memories. In this perspective, we review the extensive progress in research on NCs over the past decade and highlight key areas where future research may bring further breakthroughs.}, author = {Ibáñez, Maria and Boehme, Simon C. and Buonsanti, Raffaella and De Roo, Jonathan and Milliron, Delia J. and Ithurria, Sandrine and Rogach, Andrey L. and Cabot, Andreu and Yarema, Maksym and Cossairt, Brandi M. and Reiss, Peter and Talapin, Dmitri V. and Protesescu, Loredana and Hens, Zeger and Infante, Ivan and Bodnarchuk, Maryna I. and Ye, Xingchen and Wang, Yuanyuan and Zhang, Hao and Lhuillier, Emmanuel and Klimov, Victor I. and Utzat, Hendrik and Rainò, Gabriele and Kagan, Cherie R. and Cargnello, Matteo and Son, Jae Sung and Kovalenko, Maksym V.}, issn = {1936-086X}, journal = {ACS Nano}, number = {36}, pages = { 31969–32051}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, title = {{Prospects of nanoscience with nanocrystals: 2025 edition}}, doi = {10.1021/acsnano.5c07838}, volume = {19}, year = {2025}, } @article{20405, abstract = {Dielectric breakdown of physical vacuum (Schwinger effect) is the textbook demonstration of compatibility of Relativity and Quantum theory. Although observing this effect is still practically unachievable, its analogue generalizations have been shown to be more readily attainable. This paper demonstrates that a gapped Dirac semiconductor, methylammonium lead-bromide perovskite (MAPbBr3), exhibits analogue dynamic Schwinger effect. Tunneling ionization under deep subgap mid-infrared irradiation leads to intense photoluminescence in the visible range, in full agreement with quasi-adiabatic theory. In addition to revealing a gapped extended system suitable for studying the analogue Schwinger effect, this observation holds great potential for nonperturbative field sensing, i.e., sensing electric fields through nonperturbative light-matter interactions. First, this paper illustrates this by measuring the local deviation from the nominally cubic phase of a perovskite single crystal, which can be interpreted in terms of frozen-in fields. Next, it is shown that analogue dynamic Schwinger effect can be used for nonperturbative amplification of nonparametric upconversion process in perovskites driven simultaneously by multiple optical fields. This discovery demonstrates the potential for material response beyond perturbation theory in the tunneling regime, offering extremely sensitive light detection and amplification across an ultrabroad spectral range not accessible by conventional devices.}, author = {Lorenc, Dusan and Volosniev, Artem and Zhumekenov, Ayan A. and Lee, Seungho and Ibáñez, Maria and Bakr, Osman M. and Lemeshko, Mikhail and Alpichshev, Zhanybek}, issn = {2330-4022}, journal = {ACS Photonics}, number = {9}, pages = {5220--5230}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, title = {{Observation of analogue dynamic Schwinger effect and non-perturbative light sensing in lead halide perovskites}}, doi = {10.1021/acsphotonics.5c01360}, volume = {12}, year = {2025}, } @article{20426, abstract = {SnTe has attracted significant research interest as a lead-free alternative to PbTe; however, its intrinsically high hole concentration results in an undesirably low Seebeck coefficient and elevated electronic thermal conductivity, thus significantly limiting its thermoelectric (TE) performance. Herein, we present a cost-effective, binary thiol-amine-mediated colloidal synthesis method to synthesize Bi-doped SnTe nanoparticles, eliminating the use of tri-n-octylphosphine-based precursors. The introduction of an electron-rich Bi dopant reduces the hole concentration and increases the Seebeck coefficient. Furthermore, post-synthetic surface treatment with chalcogenidocadmate complexes promotes atomic interdiffusion during annealing and consolidation, leading to compositional redistribution and modulation of the electronic band structure. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that co-modification via Bi doping and CdSe-derived chalcogen incorporation reduces the energy offset at the valence band maxima from 0.30 eV to 0.10 eV, thereby enhancing valence band degeneracy. The synergistic structural and electronic band structure modulations produce an SnTe-based material with a record high power factor of 2.1 mW m–1 K–2 at 900 K, a maximum TE figure of merit (zT) of 1.2, and a promising theoretical conversion efficiency of 8.3%. This study reports a versatile and scalable colloidal synthesis strategy that integrates hierarchical structural modulation with electronic band engineering, offering a synergistic route to significantly enhance the TE performance.}, author = {Meng, Weite and Xu, Lixiang and Lu, Shaoqing and Li, Mingquan and Li, Mengyao and Zhang, Yu and Wang, Qingyue and Wang, Wen Jun and Huo, Siqi and Bañares, Miguel A. and Martin-Gonzalez, Marisol and Ibáñez, Maria and Cabot, Andreu and Hong, Min and Liu, Yu and Lim, Khak Ho}, issn = {1936-086X}, journal = {ACS Nano}, number = {38}, pages = {34395--34407}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, title = {{Thiol-Amine complexes for the synthesis and surface engineering of SnTe nanomaterials toward high thermoelectric performance}}, doi = {10.1021/acsnano.5c12627}, volume = {19}, year = {2025}, } @article{20496, abstract = {The practical implementation of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) is limited by uncontrolled zinc (Zn) dendrite growth during anode plating, compromising both safety and cycle life. Typically, Zn plating proceeds via 2D growth along the six equivalent prismatic [1010] directions of the hexagonal close-packed (HCP) Zn lattice, forming hexagonal platelets that promote dendrite formation. Here, an effective electrolyte engineering strategy is presented using rare-earth ions to regulate Zn plating. Combined multiscale experimental analyses and computational modeling reveal that these ions preferentially adsorb onto the prismatic {1010} facets, suppressing lateral epitaxial growth of the basal (0002) planes. This redirects Zn plating toward an apparent screw dislocation-driven growth along the [0001] axis. The resulting growth pathway, together with randomly oriented Zn nucleation, yields dense, uniform, and dendrite-free Zn layers with markedly improved cycling stability and high depth-of-discharge operation, thereby challenging the prevailing assumption that dendrite suppression requires (0002)-oriented growth parallel to the substrate. This work provides new mechanistic insights into Zn plating dynamics and establishes a scalable strategy for stable, dendrite-free Zn anodes in next-generation AZIBs.}, author = {Zeng, Guifang and Horta, Sharona and Sun, Qing and Khan, Malik Dilshad and Ibáñez, Maria and Han, Yuhang and Wang, Shang and Li, Longqiu and Ci, Lijie and Tian, Yanhong and Cabot, Andreu}, issn = {1521-4095}, journal = {Advanced Materials}, publisher = {Wiley}, title = {{Crystal growth engineering for dendrite-free Zinc metal plating}}, doi = {10.1002/adma.202510906}, year = {2025}, } @article{18853, abstract = {Electrolyte additives are extensively validated effective in mitigating dendrite growth and parasitic reactions in aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). Nonetheless, the mechanisms by which additives influence the formation and characteristics of the inorganic solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI) are not yet fully elucidated. Herein, we investigate how Zn(CF3COO)2 additives influence solvation structure and elucidate the mechanism by which these additives promote the dual reduction of anions. Through cryo-transmission electron microscopy analysis, we identified the SEI as a highly amorphous ZnS/ZnF2 phase. This amorphous hybrid SEI demonstrates exceptional stability, mechanical robustness, and high Zn2+ conductivity, effectively mitigating parasitic reactions and enhancing Zn plating/stripping reversibility. Even under elevated current densities, the Zn anode exhibits ultra-stable longevity and ultra-high reversibility. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms governing solvation structure modulation that lead to the formation of amorphous hybrid SEI, underscoring their efficacy in enhancing the performance and durability of AZIBs.}, author = {Zeng, Guifang and Sun, Qing and Horta, Sharona and Martínez-Alanis, Paulina R. and Wu, Peng and Li, Jing and Wang, Shang and Ibáñez, Maria and Tian, Yanhong and Ci, Lijie and Cabot, Andreu}, issn = {1754-5706}, journal = {Energy and Environmental Science}, number = {4}, pages = {1683--1695}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, title = {{Modulating the solvation structure to enhance amorphous solid electrolyte interface formation for ultra-stable aqueous zinc anode}}, doi = {10.1039/d4ee03750b}, volume = {18}, year = {2025}, } @article{18878, abstract = {Thermoelectric (TE) materials, with the ability to convert heat into electrical energy, can generate micro-electrical fields at electronic interfaces with biological systems, making them applicable in electric-catalyzing as nanozymes, and modulate the infected microenvironment of skin wounds. Thereby, by harnessing temperature differences in vitro or in vivo, TE nanomaterials can provide antimicrobial reactive oxygen species (ROS) by catalyzing redox reactions, thereby accelerating wound healing by suppressing infection. However, despite their promising potential, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding of the antimicrobial mechanisms, biocompatibility, and practical applications of TE nanomaterials in wound healing, as this is a newly-emerged sub-area of energy-related biomedical applications. This review aims to address this gap by highlighting the emerging progress of TE materials in wound healing, clarifying their mechanism and advances, emphasizing their potential challenges for commercialization and clinical use, and proposing novel design strategies of TE nanomaterials for effective antibacterial performance.}, author = {Jia, Shiyu and Qi, Cai and Xu, Shengduo and Yang, Lei and Sun, Qiang}, issn = {1005-0302}, journal = {Journal of Materials Science and Technology}, number = {08}, pages = {212--226}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Advancements of thermoelectric nanomaterials in ROS-mediated broad-spectrum antibacterial therapies for wound healing}}, doi = {10.1016/j.jmst.2024.11.039}, volume = {225}, year = {2025}, } @article{18881, abstract = {The determination of the intrinsic properties of solid active material candidates is essential for their performance optimization. However, macroscopic electrodes and related analytical techniques show challenges concerning the number of additional influencing parameters. We explore recessed microelectrodes (rME) as a platform that allows for a binder-free investigation of Prussian Blue analogues (PBA), a family of promising battery materials. The enhanced diffusion using microelectrochemical tools is indispensable to assess the intrinsic material performance, overcoming the limitation of cation diffusion from the electrolyte to the solid interface during (dis)charging cycles and allowing the investigation of limiting steps in the coupled ion-electron transfer process. The intrinsic electrochemical performance of PBAs was studied in a three-electrode configuration by means of cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic (dis)charging in aqueous Na+-containing electrolyte. We extended the evaluation to the role of the electrolyte on the performance of cathodic and anodic processes of a Mn-based PBA. Ex-situ and operando chemical characterization were coupled to support the microelectrochemical results.}, author = {Jiyane, Nomnotho and Santana Santos, Carla and Echevarria Poza, Igor and Palacios Corella, Mario and Abdillah Mahbub, Muhammad Adib and Marin-Tajadura, Gimena and Quast, Thomas and Ibáñez, Maria and Ventosa, Edgar and Schuhmann, Wolfgang}, issn = {2566-6223}, journal = {Batteries & Supercaps}, number = {3}, publisher = {Wiley}, title = {{Recessed microelectrodes as a platform to investigate the intrinsic redox process of Prussian blue analogs for energy storage application}}, doi = {10.1002/batt.202400743}, volume = {8}, year = {2025}, } @article{18882, abstract = {Ternary liquid-like thermoelectric materials have garnered significant attention due to their ultra-low lattice thermal conductivity. Among these, Ag8SnSe6 stands out for its exceptionally low sound velocity and thermal conductivity. However, the inherent poor electrical conductivity and suboptimal thermoelectric properties of Ag8SnSe6 necessitate further improvement. Here, a novel approach is initiated to enhance the thermoelectric properties of Ag8SnSe6 by combining low-dimensionalization with intrinsic doping. For the first time, this work successfully synthesizes single-phase Ag8SnSe6 nanocrystals, ≈10 nm in size, with the correct phase and composition using a robust and reliable colloidal method. This approach represents a significant improvement over previous reports on this material. Reducing the crystal domains of Ag8SnSe6 to the nanoscale induces quantum confinement effects, increasing the density of states near the Fermi surface. It also introduces additional grain boundaries, which lower the lattice thermal conductivity and simplify structural design. Moreover, incorporating small amounts of Sn nanopowder into the Ag8SnSe6 nanocrystals before consolidation further enhances the thermoelectric performance. Sn acts as a donor dopant, increasing the electronic concentration while at the same time improving their mobility by reducing interface barriers, thus significantly improving the material transport properties. Additionally, the presence of Sn leads to the formation of point defects, dislocations, and secondary phases, which increase phonon scattering and further reduce the thermal conductivity. Through this synergistic optimization, the figure of merit shows a significant increase across a wide temperature range. Overall, a strategy is presented for the controlled preparation of Ag8SnSe6 nanocrystals, the decoupling of their electrical and thermal transport, and the practical application of this material to thermoelectric single-leg modules.}, author = {Zhao, Xueke and Li, Mengyao and Jia, Mochen and Fiedler, Christine and Nan, Bingfei and Yang, Dongwen and Li, Lei and Yuan, Zicheng and Song, Hongzhang and Liu, Yu and Ibáñez, Maria and Wang, Ziyu and Shan, Chongxin and Cabot, Andreu}, issn = {1616-3028}, journal = {Advanced Functional Materials}, number = {24}, publisher = {Wiley}, title = {{Low-dimensional structure modulation in Ag8SnSe6 for enhanced thermoelectric performance}}, doi = {10.1002/adfm.202421449}, volume = {35}, year = {2025}, } @article{19037, abstract = {We present a novel, portable sensor platform that enables concurrent monitoring of surface mass and charge density variations at thin biointerfaces. This platform combines a coplanar-gated field-effect transistor (FET) architecture with grating-coupled surface plasmon resonance (SPR), yielding an integrated disposable sensor chip prepared by nanoimprint and maskless photolithography techniques. The sensor chip design is suitable for scalable production and relies on reduced graphene oxide (rGO), serving as the FET’s semiconductor material for the electronic readout, and a metallic gate electrode surface that is corrugated with a multi-diffractive structure for optical probing with resonantly excited surface plasmons. Together with its integration in a compact instrumentation this results in a form factor optimized solution for dual-mode investigations without compromising the optical or electronic sensor performance. A poly-L-lysine (PLL) – based thin linker layer was deployed at the sensor surface to covalently attach azide-conjugated biomolecules by using incorporated “clickable” dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO) moieties. Interestingly, the dual-mode measurements allow elucidating the role of the globular nature of the PLL chains when increasing the density of DBCO attached to their backbone, leading to PLL folding and internalization of DBCO moieties, and thus reducing the coupling yield for the used DNA oligomers. We envision that this platform can be employed to studying a range of other biointerface architectures and biomolecular interaction phenomena, which are inherently tied to mass and charge density variations.}, author = {Hasler, Roger and Livio, Pietro A. and Bozdogan, Anil and Fossati, Stefan and Hageneder, Simone and Montes-García, Verónica and Movilli, Jacopo and Moazzenzade, Taghi and Loohuis, Luna and Reiner-Rozman, Ciril and Tamayo, Adrián and Fiedler, Christine and Ibáñez, Maria and Kleber, Christoph and Huskens, Jurriaan and Dostalek, Jakub and Samorì, Paolo and Knoll, Wolfgang}, issn = {1558-1748}, journal = {IEEE Sensors Journal}, number = {7}, pages = {10521--10529}, publisher = {IEEE}, title = {{Dual electronic and optical monitoring of biointerfaces by a grating-structured coplanar-gated field-effect transistor}}, doi = {10.1109/jsen.2025.3533113}, volume = {25}, year = {2025}, }