Against the backdrop of global clean energy transition and surging demand for lithium resources, lithium extraction from salt lakes presents unprecedented development opportunities. Nanofiltration (NF) membrane technology, recognized for its efficiency, energy savings, and environmental benefits, demonstrates significant application potential in lithium extraction from salt lake brines, particularly for the critical Mg2+/Li + separation step in high Mg2+/Li+ ratio brines—a key resource. However, substantial challenges remain. This review systematically summarizes recent research advances in the core separation mechanisms of NF membranes for Mg2+/Li+ separation and strategies for membrane structural design optimization. It prospectively analyzes key bottleneck issues, including membrane fouling, long-term operational stability under extreme brine environments, and the economic viability of large-scale applications. Furthermore, future research directions are highlighted, emphasizing the need to focus on machine learning-assisted membrane design, the development of advanced anti-fouling coatings, and integrated technologies coupling NF with processes such as electrodialysis or adsorption. This review aims to provide technical references for the efficient exploitation of salt lake lithium resources and offer scientific guidance for the development of next-generation high-performance NF membranes.

Tellurium (Te), emerging as a promising alternative to sulfur (S) and selenium (Se), offers significant advantages for potassium (K) ion storage due to its comparable theoretical volumetric capacity (2619 mAh cm−3) and higher electronic conductivity (∼102 S m−1), which promotes rapid charge transfer and improves reaction kinetics. However, substantial volume changes during potassiation/depotassiation and the shuttling effect of polytellurides hinder the feasibility of K–Te batteries. Moreover, comprehensive studies on the phase formation and dissolution mechanism of K-polytellurides (K–pTen) employing various in situ and ex-situ techniques are scarcely reported. Herein, we introduce a rational strategy utilizing nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co) heteronuclear double-atom catalysts (DACs) encapsulated within hollow porous carbon nanospheres (Ni/Co‒N‒HPCNS) as hosts for tellurium impregnation (Te‒Ni/Co‒N‒HPCNS). In situ and ex-situ XRD analysis revealed continuous phase transformation during discharge from amorphous Te (starting at OCV) to K2Te3 (discharged to 1.5 V) and finally to K5Te3 (discharged to 0.5 V). During the reverse scan, K5Te3 was reversibly converted to K2Te3 (charged to 3.0 V). Additionally, density functional theory calculations have shown that the presence of Ni/Co‒DAC significantly impedes the dissolution of K–pTen species, thereby expediting the reaction kinetics to unprecedented levels (3000 cycles at 2.0C). When tested as a negative electrode for K-ion storage in a full-cell layout, the prepared nanostructure exhibits highly reversible K-ion redox reactions, demonstrating its potential for commercial applications. We believe that the comprehensive design and characterization strategy discussed herein will open new frontiers for obtaining nanostructures with unparalleled electrochemical performances.

Photocatalytic hydrogen production from water splitting is a promising strategy for sustainable and clean energy generation. However, the design of low-cost, highly active photocatalysts remains a critical challenge. In this study, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) were loaded onto the surface of Cd0.9Cu0.1S to fabricate COF/Cd0.9Cu0.1S heterojunction. As a photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution, the optimized 10COF/Cd0.9Cu0.1S sample achieved a hydrogen evolution rate of 3398.3 μmol h−1 g−1, representing 2.3-fold and 3398.3-fold enhancements compared with pristine Cd0.9Cu0.1S (1523.3 μmol h−1 g−1) and COF (almost nothing), respectively. The addition of Co2+ as a co-catalyst is a key factor in enhancing performance. Comprehensive photocatalytic tests, in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transient absorption spectroscopy revealed that the charge–transfer process follows an S-scheme mechanism. The covalent interaction between COF and Cd0.9Cu0.1S, coupled with favorable band alignment, induces a built-in electric field at the heterojunction interface, thereby accelerating charge separation and suppressing recombination. This work provides an effective strategy for constructing efficient organic–inorganic heterojunctions, offering new insights into photocatalytic water splitting.

Melting production plays a pivotal role in the modern copper industry. However, applying this process to fabricate nanocarbon (e.g., graphene, carbon nanotubes)-reinforced copper matrix composites has remained a long-standing challenge for nearly 2 decades. In this study, a melting preparation strategy for Graphene–Cu (Gr/Cu) composites was developed by introducing tungsten-doped graphene (W–Gr) into molten Cu, effectively improving the wettability and density compatibility between graphene (Gr) and molten Cu. The contact angle between W–Gr and molten Cu decreases to 80.4°, while the density of W–Gr increases to 9.5 g cm−3. W–Gr sheets containing 13 at% and 18 at% tungsten (designated as 13W–Gr and 18W–Gr) disperse uniformly within the Cu matrix. Thermodynamic analysis indicates that W–Gr can spontaneously disperse in molten Cu when the surface area fraction of WC on W–Gr exceeds 45.8%. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 13W–Gr/Cu reaches 152 MPa in the as-cast state and 449 MPa after cold rolling. The electrical conductivity of 13W–Gr/Cu reaches 100.4% international annealed copper standard (IACS) at 20°C, and is 1.5% higher than that of pure Cu at 180°C. This work overcomes the challenges of fabricating Gr/Cu composites via the melting process, provides a viable approach for their large-scale industrial production.

The Fermi surface structure in the half-Heusler semimetallic compound LuAuSn was systematically investigated using quantum oscillation studies of high-quality single crystals and first-principles calculations. Clear bulk quantum oscillation signals were observed for multiple complementary physical properties, including magnetization, Hall resistance, and dynamic magnetostrictive coefficient. Quantum oscillations measured in a strong magnetic field (up to 35 T) confirmed the existence of four hole pockets and two electron pockets. Furthermore, spin splitting caused by spin–orbit coupling was discovered in the hole pockets. Our findings revealed the detailed topology of the Fermi surface in LuAuSn, which may help improve understanding of the electronic transport in this and related half-Heusler materials.

Multimodal luminescent materials are crucial for advanced information encryption, real-time dosimetry, and high-resolution bioimaging, yet integrating orthogonal stimulus-responsiveness into a single-component system is challenging. Herein, we report a Pr3+-doped Ca3Ga2Ge3O12 (CGGO: Pr3+) garnet phosphor that exhibits orthogonally addressable luminescence under ultraviolet (UV) light, X-ray radiation, and thermal stimulation. This phosphor demonstrates dual spectrally distinct emissions with relative intensities that can be precisely modulated by varying the excitation wavelength or ambient temperature, enabling color tuning from blue to orange. Furthermore, time-resolved multi-color afterglow after UV or X-ray pre-excitation, along with thermally stimulated luminescence, provides complementary readout channels. Notably, CGGO: Pr3+ exhibits dose-rate- and temperature-dependent color evolution (from blue-white to orange-white) under concurrent UV and X-ray irradiation, facilitating real-time naked-eye monitoring of both X-ray dose rate and temperature. By leveraging these orthogonal response modes, we demonstrate visual real-time X-ray dose and temperature detection, high-security X-ray imaging, and 3D-encrypted quick response codes. This study establishes CGGO: Pr3+ as a versatile single-component platform for orthogonal stimuli-responsive applications, advancing the fields of dynamic information encryption and instantaneous X-ray dose-rate visualization.

The development of efficient and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts is a key challenge for the industrialization of hydrogen production by water electrolysis. In this work, Co-doped NiS/Ni3S2 heterostructured nanowire arrays (Co–NiS/Ni3S2 NA) were successfully constructed by precisely modulating the phase-selective behavior of nickel sulfides through a cobalt doping strategy. The introduction of cobalt not only suppressed the formation of the sulfur-rich phase NiS2 but also promoted the generation of the Ni3S2 phase to form a heterogeneous interface with high electrical conductivity. Benefiting from the electron redistribution at heterogeneous interfaces, optimization of d-band center position, and improvement of electronic conductivity, the Co–NiS/Ni3S2 NA catalyst exhibited excellent bifunctional activities for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in 1 M KOH, with overpotentials at 10 mA cm−2 as low as 42 and 273 mV, respectively. In alkaline natural seawater (1 M KOH + seawater), the catalyst only required a low voltage of 1.764 V to achieve a high current density of 500 mA cm−2 for overall water splitting, with superb long-term stability for 100 h. Ex situ Raman spectroscopy, differential electrochemical mass spectrometry, and theoretical calculation revealed that the OER process of Co–NiS/Ni3S2 NA followed an adsorbate evolution mechanism, dynamic surface reconstruction forms active NiOOH species, and the formed sulfate creates electrostatic shields against chloride corrosion. This study provides valuable insights into the construction of sulfur-deficient heterointerfaces and their electrocatalytic mechanisms, and the design of high-efficiency and chloride-resistant electrocatalysts for seawater electrolysis.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) hold great promise for safe and sustainable energy storage, but their commercialization is impeded by severe Zn dendrite growth and interfacial instability. To address these challenges, we propose a defect engineering strategy employing ultrafine ZnAl2O4 (ZAO) nanoparticles (∼5 nm) with oxygen vacancy defects as an artificial protective layer for Zn anodes. Synthesized via a scalable coprecipitation approach, the ZAO layer demonstrates exceptional Zn2+ affinity and rapid ion diffusion, enabling uniform Zn deposition and suppressing parasitic reactions. Remarkably, the ZAO@Zn symmetric cell achieves an unprecedented cycling stability of 3600 h at 20 mA cm−2, outperforming most reported Zn anodes modified with metal oxyacid compounds. Moreover, the assembled ZAO@Zn//MnO2 full cell retains a capacity of 166.5 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 2 A g−1. This work highlights that engineering oxygen vacancies in the ZAO layer is an effective strategy to enhance the performance and longevity of Zn anodes in AZIBs, paving the way for more reliable and efficient energy storage solutions.

Multi-element Prussian blue analog (PBA) nanocomposites have attracted wide attention for their superior characteristics to single-functional nanomaterials in extensive applications of diagnosis and therapy. In this study, a novel hollow nanocomposite was designed and fabricated by embedding S2− and Ag nanoparticles into a NiCuMnFe (PBA). The introduction S2− and Ag nanoparticles greatly enhanced the catalytic and photothermal performance of multi-element NiCuMnFe PBA. Based on its versatility of outstanding performance, a rapid and sensitive colorimetric detection platform for dopamine (DA), with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.567 μM was constructed, and an efficient antibacterial nanoplatform was obtained with highly effective antibacterial performance (100% inhibition rate of bacteria under optimal conditions). This work provides a feasible reference for the reasonable design of multifunctional nanocomposites in biosensor and medical treatment applications.

The growing concern over human health issues, driven by increasingly severe electromagnetic pollution from 5G communication, has made the urgent development of high-performance electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbing materials. Although carbide-based materials are promising because of their conductive and polarization losses, existing single-component materials fall short of future requirements. We report a lattice distortion engineering strategy to design and synthesize a stable high-entropy carbide (Ta0.2Nb0.2Ti0.2Zr0.2Cr0.2)C. The lowest reflection loss reaches −62.40 dB, and it exhibits an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 6.39 GHz, a fourfold enhancement compared to that of the single component material TaC. Results indicate that severe lattice distortion in the high-entropy composition induces the formation of high-density defects, and the presence of metal vacancies significantly enhances the high-entropy carbides conduction loss and dipole polarization. Concurrently, the abundant grain boundaries and hyper-dense distorted lattices provide significant interfacial polarization and relaxation polarization, effectively broadening the electromagnetic absorption bandwidth. Electron holography analysis confirmed that a substantial accumulation of positive and negative charges at nano-interfaces leads to an anomalous dielectric polarization loss. This study contributes an effective pathway for designing potent single-phase electromagnetic wave absorption materials and provides a paradigm for improving other properties of high-entropy carbides via the lattice distortion strategy.