Featured
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Review Article
| Open AccessMetal-organic frameworks for solar-driven desalination
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are used in a range of functional applications, often due to their high porosity. Here, the use of MOFs in solar-powered desalination is discussed, covering the materials, the issue of salt deposition, and systems that combine desalination with pollutant degradation and power generation.
- Panyouwen Zhang
- , Yue Hu
- & Xinsheng Peng
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Article
| Open AccessTransient co-tuning of atomic Fe and nanoparticle facets for self-relaying Fenton-like catalysis
Fenton-like catalysts are used for degrading refractory organic pollutants but the synthesis of dual active sites is difficult to control. Here, carbon-assisted flash Joule heating synthesis results in a structure with single atoms and high-index facets for antibiotic and medical micropollutant removal from water.
- Jiewen Luo
- , Xiangdong Zhu
- & Fengchang Wu
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Matters Arising
| Open AccessReply to: Concerns about global phosphorus demand for lithium-iron-phosphate batteries in the light electric vehicle sector
- Chengjian Xu
- , Qiang Dai
- & Bernhard Steubing
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Article
| Open AccessSoil microbiomes mediate degradation of vinyl ester-based polymer composites
The effect of microbial communities on the degradation of polymer composites has not been widely studied. Here, a multi-omics and materials characterization approach reveals the time-dependent effect of naturally occurring microbes on the degradation of vinyl ester composites.
- Adam M. Breister
- , Muhammad A. Imam
- & Pavana Prabhakar
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Article
| Open AccessFuture material demand for automotive lithium-based batteries
Lithium-ion-based batteries are a key enabler for the global shift towards electric vehicles. Here, considering developments in battery chemistry and number of electric vehicles, analysis reveals the increasing amounts of lithium, cobalt and nickel that could be needed.
- Chengjian Xu
- , Qiang Dai
- & Bernhard Steubing
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Article
| Open AccessSynthesis of 14C-labelled polystyrene nanoplastics for environmental studies
Nanoplastics are a substantial environmental risk, and it is important to understanding where and how they are released into the environment. Here, a simple methodology is reported for the one-step synthesis of radiolabelled nanopolystyrene that can be used in environmental studies.
- Maya Al-Sid-Cheikh
- , Steven J. Rowland
- & Richard C. Thompson
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Article
| Open AccessInterfacial assembly of self-healing and mechanically stable hydrogels for degradation of organic dyes in water
Hydrogels are attractive for the treatment of waste water, but their mechanical properties are typically reduced when underwater. Here, a synthesis strategy is reported for a graphene oxide-coated hydrogel which can catalyze organic dye degradation in water over multiple cycles.
- Guihua Yan
- , Yunchao Feng
- & Lu Lin
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Article
| Open AccessCrystallisation control of drop-cast quasi-2D/3D perovskite layers for efficient solar cells
Perovskite solar cells have substantial potential for solar conversion, but developing simple and scalable fabrication processes is challenging. Here, a drop-casting process compatible with roll-to-roll production of quasi-2D/3D perovskite layers is developed, with a conversion efficiency of up to 16%.
- Chuantian Zuo
- , Andrew D. Scully
- & Mei Gao