Aliphatic polyesters are important biodegradable polymers and bulk materials, and their monomers of cyclic esters can come from biomass. The catalysts are the key for converting cyclic esters into polyesters, in which the new homogenous catalysts not only initiate the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters with high activities but also finely tune the molecular weights and structures of the obtained polyesters and thus improve the polymer properties. Currently metal complexes ligated by Schiff-bases have attracted much attention in the ROP of cyclic esters, in contrast,metal complexes containing the phosphorus-nitrogen bond are very limited but display unique catalytic properties and show the potential for industry. The nitrogen and phosphorus possesssimilar electronic structure but with different electronegativity, which helps to adjust the coordination ability of ligand to metal and thus improve thecatalytic performance in the ROP of cyclic esters. The phosphorus-nitrogen bond can be a single bond or a double bond, and the corresponding metal complexes are commonly formed with nitrogen coordination than phosphine coordination, in which by regulating the steric and electronic of phosphine groups the environment around the adjacent coordinatingnitrogen could be adjusted with resulting in good activity but also in controllability to tailor the microstructure of the resultant polyesters. This review collects the recent progress of such multidentate metal complex catalysts containing phosphine nitrogen bond for ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters, and summarizes the relationship between ligand structure, catalytic performance, and the microstructure of the resulting polyester, which favor the exploring the new efficient complex catalysts and guiding the industry to select the practical catalysts to promote the scientific development as well as industrialization of related technologies.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Construction methodology of phosphorus nitrogen double bonds (P=N) and single bonds (P—N) in organic compounds

3 Metal complexes containing P-N single bonds for ring-opening polymerization of lactones

3.1 Alkali(alkaline) metal complexes containing P—N single bonds

3.2 Rare earth metal complexes containing P—N single bonds

4 Metal complexes containing P=N double bonds for ring-opening polymerization of lactones

4.1 N^N bidentate metal complexes containing P=N double bonds for ROP

4.2 N^N^X Tridentate metal complexes containing P=N double bonds for ROP

4.3 Ion pair metal complexes with P=N bond for ROP

4.4 N^N^O^O tetradentate metal complexes containing P=N double bonds for ROP

5 Conclusion and outlook

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), as an important chemical raw material in the fields of environment, chemical, and energy, has become an emerging candidate in promoting energy transformation and green development of the chemical industry due to its characteristics of green environmental protection and strong sustainability. At present, over 95% of H₂O₂ worldwide is synthesized through the anthraquinone oxidation (AO process), which mainly involves the hydrogenation and oxidation process of anthraquinone molecules in Ni or Pd catalysts and organic solvents. However, the AO process also brings in additional costs and poses risks such as flammability and explosion during transportation, high energy consumption, and waste generation. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) towards H₂O₂ synthesis provides an economical, efficient, and harmless alternative process for the in-situ synthesis of green reagents under mild conditions. However, ORR towards H₂O₂ synthesis mainly faces two major challenges: low reaction selectivity and slow reaction kinetics, which lead to generally low H₂O₂ yield and Faraday efficiency, hindering further industrial applications. As the core of electrocatalytic reactions, the surface physicochemical properties of electrocatalysts are usually closely related to the catalytic process, directly affecting the adsorption and desorption of reaction species, thereby further affecting the overall reaction thermodynamics and kinetics. Therefore, developing electrocatalysts with high activity, high selectivity, and good stability, is the key to further improving the catalytic activity and energy conversion efficiency. Based on this, this review systematically summarizes the advanced design strategies of high-performance electrocatalysts in the H₂O₂ synthesis through ORR in recent years. The synthesis strategies and control mechanisms of advanced electrocatalysts are summarized and sorted out from four aspects: electronic structure control, geometric structure control, surface morphology control, and atomization active site design. Prospects and suggestions are also proposed for the design direction and application prospects of ORR electrocatalysts, which are beneficial for achieving precise control of intermediate adsorption and desorption behavior in reaction rate-determining steps, and constructing interface conditions for efficient energy and mass transfer of reaction species.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Oxygen reduction reaction fundamental mechanism

3 Electronic structure regulation strategies

3.1 Chemical doping engineering

3.2 Defect construction engineering

4 Geometric structure regulation strategies

4.1 Size regulation

4.2 Pore/interlayer structure regulation

4.3 Surface morphology regulation

5 Surface modification and functionalization strategies

6 Atomic level active site design strategies

6.1 Metal active centers regulation

6.2 Local coordination domain regulation

7 Conclusion and outlook

With the rapid development of consumer intelligent electronic devices and electric vehicles, the development of lithium-ion batteries with high energy density has become a very urgent and important issue. Using high-voltage electrode materials and enhancing the work voltage of batteries is an effective pathway to realize the high energy density of battery. However, the conventional carbonate-based electrolyte will undergo oxidation reactions when the voltage is higher than 4.3 V, which will lead to electrolyte decomposition, and finally resulting in the failure of the battery. Actually, it has become one of the main bottlenecks in the development of high-voltage batteries. In order to solve this problem, researchers have carried out a lot of exploration in the design of high-voltage electrolyte in recent years, and made many important research achievements. This review introduces the failure mechanism of batteries under high voltage, and focuses on the strategies and research progress in suppressing high voltage failure from the perspective of electrolytes in recent years, indicates the challenges still existing in the design of high-voltage electrolyte, and finally prospects the future developments of high voltage lithium-ion battery electrolyte.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Failure mechanism of high-voltage batteries

2.1 Electrolyte decomposition

2.2 Transition metal ion leaching

2.3 HF erosion

3 Progress on high-voltage electrolyte

3.1 Improvement of intrinsic stability of electrolyte

3.2 Construction of stable CEI Layer

3.3 Scavenge H₂O and HF

4 Conclusion and outlook

Sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) is a kind of bacteria widely existing in the water environment, which plays an important role in the wastewater treatment process. Bacterial competition in the water treatment process is a common microbial behavior, and it is also a method to improve wastewater treatment efficiency. However, the regulation of SRB flora is affected by many factors in its practical application, which makes it difficult to control. In recent years, the introduction of electrochemistry can interfere with the electron transfer process of SRB flora, and can improve sulfate removal efficiency by regulating the competition process of flora. However, there is a lack of summary on the microbial community behavior of SRB in a water environment and the impact of the microbial electrochemical system on the competitive behavior of SRB. To fill these knowledge gaps, the metabolic behavior of SRB and other flora, the utilization of electron donors by SRB and the factors affecting the competition of SRB flora were reviewed in this study. The relationship between electron transfer pathways and the competition of SRB flora in microbial electrochemistry was summarized, and its future development and challenges were comprehensively discussed.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 The microbial community relationship of sulfate reducing bacteria in water environment

2.1 Symbiotic relationship

2.2 Competitive relationships

2.3 Competitive objects of sulfate-reducing bacteria in different environments

3 The utilization pathways of electron donors in sulfate reducing bacteria

3.1 Thermodynamically utilizing electron donors in SRB

3.2 The effect of electromediation on SRB microbiota

3.3 SRB energy-saving hydrogen production pathway

4 Regulating and controlling factors of sulfate reducing bacterial community

4.1 The influence of external electric field

4.2 Conducting medium

4.3 The impact of carbon source (type and carbon sulfur ratio) on SRB

4.4 OLR and HRT

4.5 pH

4.6 Temperature

5 Conclusion and outlook

The photoelectric properties of organic luminescent materials with large conjugated structures are closely related to molecular structure and intermolecular interaction. As a basic rigid conjugated unit between large π conjugation and C=X, phenyl has the characteristics of high stability, simple structure and direct relationship between structure and properties, and is the best model compound for studying the excited state properties of obtained luminescent materials. However, phenyl is a liquid at room temperature and becomes a solid at generally harsh low temperatures. Therefore, if the phenyl is fixed in a variety of environmentally responsive skeletons containing heteroatoms, and its condensed state structure and excited state properties will be effectively studied in a wide range, it will solve the important scientific problem of how the phenyl emollients can emit light under different aggregation states. In this paper, the recent advances in the modification of phenyl by heterocycles, conjugation extension of phenyl, substitution of peripheral heteroatoms, bridge between phenyl and other combined strategies are reviewed. The applications of modified phenyl in the synthesis of fluorescent materials, metal-organic complexes or clusters phosphorescent materials, thermally-activated delayed fluorescent materials, aggregation-induced luminescent materials and pure organic room temperature phosphorescent materials were reviewed according to different luminescence mechanisms. Finally, the future research focus and development prospect of organic multifunctional luminescent materials based on modified phenyl are also prospected.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Fluorescent material based on phenyl derivatives

3 Metal-organic complexes or clusters phosphorescent materials based on phenyl derivatives

4 Thermally activated delayed fluorescence materials based on phenyl derivatives

5 Aggregation-induced emission materials based on phenyl derivatives

6 Pure organic room temperature phosphorescent materials based on phenyl derivatives

7 Organic multifunctional luminescent materials based on phenyl derivatives

Oxide aerogel is one type of three-dimensional nano porous material, which has the advantages of high porosity, high specific surface area, low thermal conductivity, high melting point and so on. Moreover, oxide aerogel always shows excellent high-temperature resistance and thermal insulation performance. Thus, in this paper,the research progress of heat-resistant oxide aerogels including silica, alumina, zirconia aerogels, binary and multi-component and their composite counterparts are reviewed. The preparation method and performance of oxide aerogels are summarized, the existing problems are pointed out, and the application of oxide aerogels in the field of high temperature thermal insulation is prospected.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Preparation of oxide aerogel

2.1 Preparation method

2.2 Drying method

3 SiO₂ aerogel

3.1 Precursor of SiO₂ aerogel

3.2 Pretreatment of SiO₂ aerogel

3.3 SiO₂ composite aerogel

4 Al₂O₃ aerogel

4.1 Precursor of Al₂O₃ aerogel

4.2 Structural control of Al₂O₃ aerogels

4.3 Al₂O₃ composite aerogel

5 ZrO₂ aerogel

5.1 Precursor of ZrO₂ aerogel

5.2 Structural control ZrO₂ aerogels

5.3 ZrO₂ composite aerogel

6 Two component and multi-component oxide aerogel

6.1 Two component oxide aerogel

6.2 Multi-component oxide aerogel

7 Conclusion and outlook

Microbubbles and microdroplets, when exposed to a uniform temperature gradient/solute concentration gradient, will undergo thermal capillary migration/solute migration, leading to the emergence of the Marangoni effect at the gas-liquid interface. This effect plays a crucial role in manipulating microbubbles or microdroplets, offering valuable applications in various fields including biology, chemistry, medicine, materials science, and micromanufacturing. In this review, provided are an overview of recent advancements about the Marangoni effect of microbubbles/droplets under different driving modes, and demonstrate the driving principle and characteristics of photothermal Marangoni effect, thermal gradient-driven Marangoni effect and solute Marangoni effect. We focus on the dynamic changes of microdroplets induced by photothermal Marangoni effect, the movement principles of droplets on diverse hydrophobic surfaces, the manipulation processes of bubble movement and bubble separation under laser irradiation, and the typical instances of bubble/droplet separation, droplet evaporation and mixing achieved through thermal gradient-driven Marangoni effect and solute Marangoni effect. Furthermore, recent applications of the Marangoni effect in microbubble/droplet manipulation are highlighted and the promising future prospects for further development and utilization of this phenomenon are discussed.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Driving principle of the Marangoni effect

3 Temperature driven Marangoni effect

3.1 Photothermal Marangoni effect of microdroplets/ bubbles

3.2 Thermal gradient Marangoni effect of microdroplets/ bubbles

4 Microdroplet/bubble solute Marangoni effect

5 Application based on microdroplet/bubble Marangoni effect

5.1 Preparation of surface microstructure

5.2 Bubble-pen lithography

5.3 Multiphase droplet drive

5.4 Droplet motor

5.5 Emulsion energy supply

6 Conclusion and prospect

There has been a growing acknowledgment of the substantial importance of lithium as a pivotal mineral on a global scale. Prominent economies have strategically designated lithium as an essential mineral, underscoring its significance. However, despite the ample availability of lithium resources worldwide, their allocation is disparate, and demand is concentrated. Currently, liquid lithium resources serve as one of the primary sources in the mining industry, albeit with considerable challenges in extracting substantial quantities due to the scarcity of high-quality salt lake resources. This article aims to offer a comprehensive review of the present application and distribution status of lithium resources, with a specific focus on four principal techniques for extracting liquid lithium and the formation methods employed for lithium-ion sieve adsorbents. Additionally, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in diverse methodologies pertaining to the liquid lithium extraction. The principal aim of this review is to elucidate the current state of liquid lithium extraction, scrutinize and predict future developmental patterns, and ultimately furnish technical resources for both domestic and international stakeholders involved in the extraction of liquid lithium resources.

Contents

1 Introduction

1.1 Application of lithium

1.2 Distribution of lithium resources

2 Extraction technology of liquid lithium resources

2.1 Precipitate

2.2 Solvent extraction

2.3 Adsorption

2.4 Membrane separation process

3 Molding of lithium-ion sieve

3.1 Granulation

3.2 Magnetic material

3.3 Nanofiber and membrane

4 Conclusion and outlook

Nucleic acid hydrogels have good hydrophilicity, adjustability and biocompatibility, which have attracted considerable attention in the past few years, especially in the field of biomedicine and smart materials. Nucleic acid hydrogel is stimulus-responsive, meaning that external stimuli such as pH changes, light, temperature variations, and chemical triggers (including metal ion response, redox response, and enzyme response) can induce physical and chemical changes within them. Consequently, they are capable of perceiving their environment and undergoing responsive deformation, enabling precise cell therapy that can be controlled both temporally and spatially. Cell capture and release using stimulus-responsive nucleic acid hydrogels can control and modulate cellular behavior, and can also play an important role in biomedical research and applications, such as targeted drug therapies using the capture and release of specific cell types. Based on this, this paper summarizes the preparation methods of pure nucleic acid hydrogels and polymer-nucleic acid hybrid hydrogels, further discusses the application strategies of different stimuli-responsive nucleic acid hydrogels, and focuses on the research progress of cell capture and release in cell imaging, cell therapy and synergistic drug delivery. Finally, we discuss the urgent problems that need to be addressed in the research of nucleic acid hydrogels, and provide a prospect for their future development.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Preparation of nucleic acid hydrogels

2.1 Pure nucleic acid hydrogel

2.2 Polymer-nucleic acid hybrid hydrogel

3 Stimulus-responsive nucleic acid hydrogels

3.1 pH response

3.2 Light response

3.3 Temperature response

3.4 Chemical trigger

4 Stimulus-responsive nucleic acid hydrogels used for cell capture and release

4.1 Cell imaging

4.2 Cell therapy

4.3 Collaborative drug delivery

5 Conclusion and outlook

Nickel-rich-manganese-cobalt oxide (NMC) ternary cathode materials are considered to be one of the most promising cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries due to their high specific capacity and high power. However, most of the current nickel-rich ternary layered materials are polycrystalline particles, and their volumetric energy density and cyclic stability are not satisfactory. Therefore, independent and well-dispersed single-crystal nickel-rich ternary layered materials (SC-NMCs) can be used as the best candidates to replace polycrystalline nickel-rich ternary cathodes. In this paper, we systematically review how to synthesize SC-NMCs and their corresponding relationship with the properties of single-crystal from the perspectives of precursor preparation, material sintering and lithium salt supplementation. Secondly, the performance advantages of SC-NMCs compared with polycrystalline materials are comprehensively summarized, especially the morphology without cracks between particles, which shows good cycling performance. Thirdly, in view of the disadvantages and challenges of the current SC-NMCs, the modification strategies of SC-NMCs, such as element doping, surface modification and double modification, are comprehensively introduced. This review puts forward innovative views on the synthesis and modification of SC-NMCs and provides directional guidance for the application and development of single-crystal nickel-rich ternary layered cathode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 The development process of SC-NMCs

2.1 From low to high nickel

2.2 From PC-NMCs to SC-NMCs

3 Basic properties and advantages of SC-NMCs

3.1 Free of intergranular cracks

3.2 High compacting density

3.3 High-voltage stability

4 The synthesis of SC-NMCs

4.1 Solid-phase reaction high-temperature calcination

4.2 Multi-step calcination

4.3 Molten-salt method

5 The modification of SC-NMCs

5.1 Elemental doping

5.2 Coating

5.3 Double modification

6 Conclusion and outlook

Hydrogels have become one of the most widely researched materials across disciplines due to their excellent softness, wettability, responsiveness and biocompatibility. However, the mechanical properties of hydrogels are poor and cannot meet the use of some special materials. Nanofibers have been used to prepare nanofiber composite hydrogels with nano-size, porous structure and tunable mechanical properties due to their high aspect ratio, uniform fiber morphology and easy functionalization. Nanofiber composite hydrogels have suitable mechanical properties, ductility, adhesion, and the ability to mimic the microstructure of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the microenvironment of the cell, which makes them widely used in many fields. This paper summarizes the classification of nanofiber composite hydrogels, their preparation methods and their development and application in the fields of multifunctional wound dressings, tissue engineering, sensors, and filter absorption materials future development.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Nanofiber composite hydrogel classification

2.1 Organic nanofiber composite hydrogel l

2.2 Inorganic nanofiber composite hydrogel

2.3 Organic-inorganic hybrid nanofiber composite hydrogels

3 Preparation method of nanofiber composite hydrogel

3.1 Doping method

3.2 lamination method

3.3 Other methods

4 Nanofiber composite hydrogel application

4.1 Multifunctional wound dressing

4.2 Tissue engineering

4.3 Conductive sensors

4.4 Absorbent filter material for dye and metal ion removal

5 Conclusions and outlook