Journals
2026 EN
Raman Akhila · Asok Aparna · Singh Manoj Kumar
+4 more
ABSTRACT Natural fiber composites (NFCs) have been materialized as eco‐friendly, viable alternatives to synthetic fiber systems on account of its lightweight nature, biodegradability, and sustainability. Nevertheless, their restricted thermal resilience, mechanical properties, and moisture affinity confine their advanced applications. The emergence of 2D nanofillers offers a transformative solution to these challenges, enabling the integration of nanofillers with natural fibers to enhance their properties. The outstanding mechanical characteristics, high aspect ratios, and versatility of these nanostructures prove their potential to improve the inadequate properties of NFCs remarkably. This review elucidates the 2D nanofiller incorporation into natural fiber composites, concentrating on their synthesis, properties, applications, and compatibility with different natural fibers. Furthermore, the role of 2D nanostructures in enhancing the thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of natural fibers and their impact on different applications is also extensively discussed. Overall, this review targets to bridge the research gap between sustainability and advanced materials science, laying the foundation for the innovative future of natural fiber composites.
Journals
2026 EN
Shaw Roushan Nigam Ramnath · Jadhav Sachin V. · Jha Neetu R.
ABSTRACT Electrocatalytic water splitting is an essential technology for transitioning to a green energy‐powered world. However, balancing the cost, scalability, and stability of the electrocatalyst remains a significant challenge. MXenes are a family of metal carbides and nitrides that are among the newly discovered materials, garnering worldwide attention from researchers due to their excellent electronic conductivity, versatile and tunable structure, and hence enabling tunable chemistry. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of MXene‐based electrocatalysts, bridging material design and real‐world engineering applications. It aims to provide a comparative evaluation of MAX phase and MXene synthesis strategies, and it then discusses the mechanism of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) to explain fundamental design principles based on Density Functional Theory (DFT). Subsequently, the performance of MXenes as electrocatalysts for both the OER and HER is critically assessed. Finally, it presents a thorough discussion to address critical engineering challenges that hinder widespread industrial adoption, including scalability, electrode architecture, mass transport, and material stability at industry‐scale parameters. This review provides a roadmap for the further development of MXenes by critically analyzing previous laboratory‐scale reports on MXenes.
Journals
2026 EN
Jabri Slaheddine · Rollin Anna · Sukanya Sukanya
+7 more
ABSTRACT The recycling and reuse of lithium‐ion battery components must be cost‐optimized and environmentally friendly. But recycling processes could introduce scavenged impurities into the recovered material and modify its structural and morphological properties. In this work, recovered graphite from spent lithium‐ion batteries is mechanically (MRG) and subsequently chemically (CRG) purified. The powder analysis revealed a reduction in the disparity of the organic and inorganic elements when chemically purified, leading to improved material quality. High shares of MRG in anodes of full cells showed rapid capacity fading. With no noticeable performance loss, recovered graphite as additive can be used in small shares for manufacturing electrodes if they are mechanically processed only, and up to almost 50% if they are chemically processed additionally. Our findings showed that the battery performance enhances by including 10% CRG as an additive in the anode with 10% less capacity loss after 200 cycles. This demonstrates that the partial use of recovered material in the anode can support to meet the legal recycling quotas and improve cell performance at the same time.
Journals
2026 EN
Santos Vinicius Sarracini · Gropelo Henrique da Silva · dos Santos Gustavo Sanghikian Marques
+5 more
ABSTRACT The production of sugar and alcohol generates substantial amounts of sugarcane bagasse, which is commonly burned, necessitating the development of new technological applications to utilize this waste. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) generates a carbon‐dominant material that exhibits potential to support metals and semi‐metals; however, its applications in volatile organic compound (VOC) detection are underexplored. This study describes the synthesis of sulfur‐rich hydrochar by HTC utilizing sugarcane bagasse with sulfuric acid, followed by the production of carbon‐supported SnS, which presented an orthorhombic structure phase, well‐defined particle sizes, and good crystallinity. This material exhibited enhanced detection performance toward 1‐pentanol at 300°C and a fast response time of 8.3 s. The sensor showed a 39.5% reduction in response under high humidity, while maintaining good repeatability over 16 cycles, with an average response of 6.83 ± 0.23 during the stability tests. The synthesized carbon‐supported SnS obtained from sugarcane bagasse and application as a VOC sensor demonstrates biomass valorization, gas sensors, hydrothermal carbonization, pyrolysis, sulfides an innovative use for this class of materials.
Journals
2026 EN
Liu Shuhan · Xiong Wenjie · Fan Wuhao
+7 more
Abstract Along with the increasing global demand for large‐scale energy storage and the growing concerns over lithium resource scarcity, cost, and sustainability, the search for alternative technologies has intensified. This review focuses on three representative next‐generation electrochemical systems: sodium‐ion batteries, redox flow batteries, and liquid metal batteries. They are expected to complement or replace lithium‐ion batteries in specific applications. The working principles, key material systems, electrochemical performance characteristics, and application scenarios of each technology are systematically discussed, along with their respective resource availability and sustainability profiles. Sodium‐ion batteries are highlighted for their abundant raw materials and compatibility with existing lithium‐ion batteries manufacturing infrastructure; redox flow batteries for their exceptional scalability, long operational lifespan, and suitability for grid‐level storage; and liquid metal batteries for their high‐temperature operation, excellent thermal stability, and potential for ultra‐long cycle life. By comparing their advantages, limitations, and development challenges, this review provides a comprehensive perspective on the technical readiness and future prospects of these emerging systems, offering valuable insights for guiding research, industrial adoption, and policy planning in the global transition toward sustainable energy.
Journals
2026 EN
Priyanka Siddabattula Geetha Sri · Srikanth Vemuru · Manojkumar Kaliyannan
+2 more
ABSTRACT Flexible and wearable piezoelectric sensors have gained attention for applications in human‐machine interfacing (HMI) and the artificial intelligence of things (AIoT). In this study, antimony‐doped barium titanate (Ba 0.3 Sb₀.₇TiO 3 ) was used to fabricate a piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) for finger movement sensing and gesture recognition. The polymer‐to‐particle ratio was optimized, with 20 wt.% yielding the best performance. The optimized PENG generated a maximum output of 50 V and 1.5 µA under applied force, validated by charging commercial capacitors and powering LEDs. For real‐time applications, the device was scaled to finger size and integrated into a wearable glove capable of detecting finger motion. The generated electrical signals were processed using convolutional neural networks (CNNs), converting the signals into readable text through deep learning. Using this approach, the glove successfully recognized the words “SOS” and “HELLO,” demonstrating the potential of the PENG for smart wearable applications. This work highlights the integration of piezoelectric sensing with AI‐enabled gesture recognition, offering a promising route for advanced wearable healthcare devices and interactive technologies.
Journals
2026 EN
Yadav Sandeep Kumar · Mishra Subhendu · Salian Raksha D.
+6 more
ABSTRACT Harnessing magnetic noise fields for sustainable energy harvesting offers a pervasive power source for wireless devices. In this context, recently developed 2D van der Waals heterostructures have emerged as promising candidates for advancing the fundamental understanding of magnetoelectric (ME) coupling and the development of nanoscale ME devices. This work investigates thermo‐magneto‐electric coupling to enable MoS 2 /MoTe 2 ‐based heterostructures for harvesting energy from stray magnetic fields. Furthermore, introducing a nickel layer further enhances interfacial interactions under a magnetic field, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm its significant influence on the ME behavior of the heterostructures. The optimized flexible heterostructure demonstrated an open‐circuit voltage of ∼4.5 V and a power density of ∼2.12 mW/cm 3 under an alternating current (AC) magnetic noise field of 1.33 mT. These results highlight the potential of the novel 2D‐based heterostructure for harvesting stray magnetic fields and powering low‐power electronic devices in self‐powered wireless sensor network applications.
Journals
2026 EN
Warjurkar Khushboo · Patyal Rajan · Sharma Vinay
ABSTRACT Oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a key role in various pathological conditions and is typically mitigated by natural antioxidants such as catalase. However, enzyme‐based therapies often suffer from limitations including high cost, instability across temperature and pH, and limited shelf life. To address these challenges, we report the green synthesis of nitrogen‐doped carbon dots (TNCDs) derived from the non‐edible plant Tradescantia pallida . These carbon dots exhibit catalase‐mimicking activity, effectively catalyzing the decomposition of H 2 O 2 and scavenging ROS both in vitro and within cells. TNCDs demonstrated strong antioxidant potential in ABTS and DPPH assays and showed significant intracellular ROS neutralization in MDA‐MB‐231 cells via DCFDA fluorescence analysis. The use of non‐edible biomass as a precursor not only ensures sustainability and cost‐effectiveness but also avoids competition with food resources. This study highlights TNCDs as a promising eco‐friendly nanozyme platform for oxidative stress‐related biomedical applications.
Journals
2026 EN
Gong Jiawei · Schneider Luke · Liu Yongtao
ABSTRACT Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a transformative photovoltaic technology, offering high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and the potential for cost‐effective manufacturing. However, stability and large‐scale manufacturing remain critical challenges that must be addressed for widespread adoption. This review provides a roadmap from single‐junction perovskite solar cells to tandem deployment in space. First, material‐level innovations are discussed, including mixed‐cation and low‐dimensional perovskites, transport materials, and additives that improve thermal and structural stability while enhancing efficiency. Then, we examine both established industrial standards and emerging scientific protocols aimed at stabilizing PSCs under operational conditions, including tandem cell integration strategies and encapsulation techniques to mitigate performance degradation. Manufacturing scalability is a focal point, where deposition methods and green solvents are explored to improve large‐area film uniformity and reduce environmental impact. Additionally, the increasing viability of PSCs in extraterrestrial environments is assessed, with emphasis on their performance in space applications, radiation resistance, and flexible lamination methods for deployment in extreme conditions. Progress across materials innovation, device architectures, stability testing protocols, and both terrestrial and extraterrestrial applications collectively drives perovskite photovoltaics toward higher efficiency, stability, and cost‐effectiveness.
Journals
2026 EN
Parkhurst Keegan · Piao Linfeng · Yu Zhengyang
+4 more
ABSTRACT Passive fluid transfer and dewatering at a large scale by evaporation‐induced capillary pumping (i.e., artificial trees) hinge on water conduit robustness to embolism under negative pressure and on the amplification of evaporative flows. We propose a hygroscopic cellulose‐based tree‐mimicking device for stable and scalable dewatering. First, the remarkable capacity of the hygroscopic cellulose as the stem material in maintaining its hydration is demonstrated in dynamic vapor sorption and deuterium oxide‐normal water (D 2 O‐H 2 O) replacement tests. Subsequently, molecular dynamics simulations show that the surface chemistry of the hygroscopic cellulose effectively deters the onset of embolism, as compared to representative hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces. Next, in dewatering experiments, we find that the cellulose stem supersaturates the artificial leaf, which results in ∼50% higher evaporation rates compared to its equilibrium state. Finally, the evaporative flux at the leaf is shown to be nearly independent of the root area, proving the potential to amplify the flux via increasing the leaf area and the scalability of tree‐mimicking devices for dewatering applications.