Journals
2026 EN
Chaw pattnayak Bibek · Mohapatro Upasana · Barik Pritichhanda
+2 more
ABSTRACT With rising global cesium (Cs) demand and energy‐intensive ore processing, extraction from salt lakes and brines offers a sustainable alternative. However, selective Cs recovery remains challenging due to extremely low concentrations amid competing ions. Here, we report DTA, a novel anthraquinone‐based fluorophore functionalized with dithiothreitol as a cesium‐selective chelator. DTA exhibits distinctive turn‐on green fluorescence specific to Cs + ions, maintaining high selectivity against oceanic interferents (Mg 2 + , Na + , K + ) in aqueous media with an ultralow detection limit of 2.9 n M . DFT calculations confirm that Cs + binding disrupts hydrogen‐bond‐assisted photoinduced electron transfer (PET), restoring anthraquinone's intrinsic fluorescence. Incorporating DTA into hydrogel matrices yields high‐performance membranes for cesium extraction. The optimized DTAH4 membrane demonstrates 1.8‐fold enhanced water permeability (525.2 L·m − 2 ·h − 1 ·bar − 1 ) compared to pristine DTAH0, while achieving a remarkable 97% Cs extraction efficiency versus only 11% for the control. Importantly, we demonstrate smartphone‐based visual RGB detection, enabling portable, real‐time monitoring of cesium contamination. This integrated approach, combining ultrasensitive fluorescent detection with efficient membrane separation, presents a practical platform for sustainable cesium recovery for technological applications.
Journals
2026 EN
Zhang Yan · Meng Weixue · Zhang Ding
+7 more
ABSTRACT With the rapid development of portable and wearable electronics, flexible fiber‐shaped energy storage devices have emerged as important solutions due to their lightweight nature, long cycle life, and high safety. High‐performance electrode materials are key to enhancing electrochemical performance. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), with their 1D nanostructure, excellent mechanical properties, and ultra‐high tensile strength, are considered ideal for constructing flexible energy storage electrodes, particularly in applications balancing flexibility and electrochemical performance. Recent years have seen significant progress in CNT‐based flexible electrode research. To meet the demand for high‐capacity flexible energy storage, this review focuses on CNT‐based fiber‐shaped devices, which exhibit high capacity and excellent mechanical flexibility. It summarizes recent advancements in energy storage, emphasizing fabrication and modification techniques for fiber electrodes and strategies for improved flexibility and stretchability. Furthermore, the structural design and performance of devices based on preparation methods are elaborated in detail, alongside a discussion of their wearable application potential. This review also addresses core challenges in the field and outlines future research directions for advancing fiber‐shaped energy storage devices.
Journals
2026 EN
Hann Alice J. · Dong Ming · Zhang Yikun
+5 more
ABSTRACT Brewers’ spent grain (BSG), a major by‐product of the brewing industry, remains an underexploited source of protein suitable for the development of sustainable textile materials. This study reports the extraction and electrospinning of hordein, a prolamin protein derived from BSG, to produce nanofibers with properties relevant to advanced textile applications. Glycerol diglycidyl ether (GDE) was employed as a bifunctional cross‐linker to enhance the mechanical integrity and aqueous stability of the fibers. GDE cross‐linking, combined with heat treatment, resulted in substantial improvements in tensile strength, elongation, thermal stability, and water resistance. Hordein‐based fibers displayed markedly higher flexibility and elongation than zein‐based controls, consistent with a more deformable prolamin network under tensile deformation. The incorporation of GDE also increased surface hydrophobicity, with contact angles exceeding 120° after heat treatment, indicating strong resistance to water penetration: an essential requirement for functional textile performance. These findings demonstrate the viability of upcycling BSG into high‐performance, biodegradable nanofibers and underscore the potential of protein‐based alternatives for next‐generation sustainable textiles, thereby supporting the transition toward a more circular and environmentally responsible textile industry.
Journals
2026 EN
Zandi Zahra · Yassari Mehrasa · Mohseni Mojtaba
+9 more
Carbon Nanotubes This illustration depicts an electro‐conductive silver‐coated polyamide‐imide ultrafiltration membrane for sustainable water treatment. The image showcases the membrane's silver network structure (center), integrated with electro‐conductive pathways (red electrodes) and water filtration performance (blue solution flow). This spray‐coated composite demonstrates scalable technology for contaminant removal and sustainable aqueous processing applications. More information can be found in the Research Article by Mostafa Dadashi Firouzjaei, Mohtada Sadrzadeh, and co‐workers ( 10.1002/adsu.202500527).
Journals
2026 EN
Kim Jinwoo · Masoumilari Shokouh · Park Yeojin
+5 more
Photoelectrochemical CO 2 Conversion The cover image showcases the molecular transport and interfacial interactions occurring at the surface of a functional material. Structured nanoscale architecture enhances the directional transfer of charge and mass, emphasizing the significance of surface chemistry in sustainable energy and environmental applications. The dynamic motion of molecules illustrates the increased efficiency and selectivity achieved through advanced material design. More information can be found in the Review by Daeseung Kyung, Zohreh Masoumi, and co‐workers ( 10.1002/adsu.202500545).
Journals
2026 EN
Zhang Junqin · Sun Xiaofeng · Yi Zao
+6 more
ABSTRACT Recently, noble metal nanoparticles (e.g., Au, Ag, and Pt) have gained widespread attention as promising co‐catalysts with potential applications in reducing O 2 into H 2 O 2 . However, the O 2 ‐to‐H 2 O 2 conversion efficiency is generally limited due to their inherent weak adsorption capability toward O 2 . Herein, we have designed p‐type Ag/CdZnS Schottky junctions to address this issue. It is demonstrated that Ag nanoparticles are regulated to be electron‐deficient through diffusion of thermoelectrons (thermally excited at any temperature) from Ag to CdZnS, thereby enhancing O 2 adsorption on the Ag active sites. On the other hand, the photoelectrons generated in CdZnS during the photocatalysis process are driven by the created interface electric field to reach the Ag active sites for photoreduction reactions. The yield rate of H 2 O 2 over the optimal photocatalyst 0.7Ag/CZS reaches 1450 µmol g −1 h −1 , showing a 3.1 fold increase over that of single CdZnS. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental characterizations were combined to elucidate the charge transfer, O 2 adsorption, and photocatalysis mechanisms. The present work highlights an important strategy to optimize the noble metal co‐catalysts for achieving excellent photocatalytic H 2 O 2 synthesis.
Journals
2026 EN
Zhang Anzheng · Meng Juan · Li Yihui
+4 more
ABSTRACT The design of efficient, sustainable catalytic systems for the aerobic oxidation of benzaldehyde to aryl nitriles is of great interest in organic synthesis. In this study, we introduce a novel catalyst confined in nitrogen‐doped carbon (NC), which combines palladium‐hydride (Pd 1.5 H 2 ) and palladium oxide (PdO) nanoparticles, as Pd 1.5 H 2 @PdO NC. This catalyst was synthesized via a simple cellulose collosol co‐doping carbonization strategy. The nitrogen‐doped carbon support features a high surface area and a well‐developed nanopore structure, significantly improving the dispersion and accessibility of the co‐active sites. When applied to the aerobic oxidation of benzaldehyde with ammonia, the catalyst demonstrated outstanding performance, achieving a benzaldehyde conversion rate of 99.89% using air as the oxidant. Additionally, the catalyst showed excellent versatility, maintaining high conversion rates across a wide range of substituted benzaldehydes. The observed catalytic efficiency is attributed to the synergy between the Pd‐H species, which promotes hydrogen transfer or hydrogen abstraction, and the PdO phase, which is effective in oxidation reactions. This study provides an eco‐friendly approach to nitrile synthesis and highlights the potential of optimizing multi‐active sites on high‐surface‐area supports for advanced catalytic applications in oxidation processes.
Journals
2026 EN
Wang Jingyi · Liu Sirui · Yaghini Negin
+5 more
ABSTRACT To address the global challenges of fossil fuel depletion and plastic pollution, promoting sustainable environmental development, we have explored the use of wheat gluten (WG) as a possible insulating material in electric applications. Inspired by previous work on whey protein foams, where a thermal treatment improved the mechanical integrity, WG was also here heat‐treated at 150°C in air, and films were produced with and without a plasticiser (glycerol, GLY). The overall properties depended on the composition, processing conditions, environment, and whether a heat‐treatment was used or not. At best, films exhibited an electric insulation competitive to fossil‐based plastics (7.2 × 10 14 Ω·m), oil resistance, and a comparatively low moisture uptake. Quite unexpectedly, these films, prepared with glycerol, remained flexible even after 4 weeks at 150°C. These results suggest that thermally treated WG/GLY materials have the potential to be used in e.g. low‐voltage insulation parts in electric motors, achieving a balance between performance and sustainability in automotive applications.
Journals
2026 EN
Yammahi Jawaher Al · Sunder Kaushik · Nagarajan Vinod
+3 more
ABSTRACT Hydrogels are widely used in regenerative medicine due to their biocompatibility and tissue‐like properties; however, many rely on non‐renewable resources and exhibiting limited functionality. This study presents a sustainable hydrogel composite derived from agro‐marine waste, addressing both environmental and biomedical challenges. The composite integrates nanocellulose (NCs) extracted from date fruit pomace with collagen methacryloyl (ColMA) obtained from fish skin. The extracted NCs exhibited an average length of 529 nm, diameter of 63 nm, and crystallinity index of 40.2%. Incorporating 6% NCs into ColMA significantly improved the hydrogel's mechanical strength, increasing the bulk and nano‐elastic moduli to 31 and 24 kPa, respectively. The NC‐ColMA hydrogels displayed excellent shear‐thinning behavior, recovery ability, and UV crosslinking potential, alongside reduced pore size and swelling ratio with enhanced enzymatic and hydrolytic stability. Moreover, the hydrogels supported >95% hMSC viability, promoted proliferation, and upregulated chondrogenic markers (SOX‐9, ACAN, ELN) without elevating pro‐inflammatory cytokines, while modestly increasing TGF‐β1 expression. The composite also demonstrated superior injectability and printability, enabling precise 3D bioprinting. Overall, this NC‐ColMA hydrogel, with its tunable mechanical characteristics and biological compatibility, shows great potential for diverse medical applications while also contributing to waste reduction efforts in the date and fishing industries.
Journals
2026 EN
Pamshong Sharon Rose · Kumari Mamta · Murty Upadhyayula Suryanarayana
+2 more
Abstract Interpenetrating polymeric network microparticulate system (IPN MPs) consisting of marine polysaccharides, Fucoidan and Laminarin, was developed using the emulsion cross‐linking method. The formation of the IPN MPs was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis TGA), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The effect of varying IPN blend composition on the internal aqueous phase viscosity, particle size, drying rate, matrix topography, and swelling index of the IPN MPs matrix was investigated thoroughly. In vitro degradation studies demonstrated a tunable degradation profile with less than 2% weight loss over two weeks. Evaluation of biointeraction and irritancy potential revealed a hemolysis rate below 5% and an irritation score of 0, demonstrating their non‐hemolytic and non‐irritant behaviour. Further, evaluation of cytotoxicity including immuno and skin compatibility, via MTT and live/dead assays validated their safety profile. Moreover, a promigratory effect greater than 70% was reported in an in vitro model of skin wounds. Further, ex vivo bioadhesion study revealed good adhesion to biological tissues. These findings confirm that the IPN MPs matrix is a promising candidate for advanced therapeutic applications targeting the skin, particularly in wound healing, and pave the way for future drug delivery investigations.