Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells achieve remarkable efficiencies (> 26%) yet face stability challenges. Quasi-2D alternating-cation-interlayer perovskites offer enhanced stability through hydrophobic spacer cations but suffer from vertical phase segregation and buried interface defects. Herein, we introduce dicyanodiamide (DCD) to simultaneously address these dual limitations in GA(MA)_nPb_nI_3n+1 perovskites. The guanidine group in DCD passivates undercoordinated Pb²⁺ and MA⁺ vacancies at the perovskite/TiO₂ interface, while cyano groups eliminate oxygen vacancies in TiO₂ via Ti⁴⁺–CN coordination, reducing interfacial trap density by 73% with respect to the control sample. In addition, DCD regulates crystallization kinetics, suppressing low-n-phase aggregation and promoting vertical alignment of high-n phases, which benefit for carrier transport. This dual-functional modification enhances charge transport and stabilizes energy-level alignment. The optimized devices achieve a record power conversion efficiency of 21.54% (vs. 19.05% control) and retain 94% initial efficiency after 1200 h, outperforming unmodified counterparts (84% retention). Combining defect passivation with phase homogenization, this work establishes a molecular bridge strategy to decouple stability-efficiency trade-offs in low-dimensional perovskites, providing a universal framework for interface engineering in high-performance optoelectronics.

To study the effects of preconceptional thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels on antral follicle count (AFC) and pregnancy outcomes in a first in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle.

Cisplatin (CIS), as a common chemotherapy drug, induces detrimental effects on the testis. Besides, exosomes represent various beneficial effects, such as anti-inflammation and proliferation. In this experimental study, the authors aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of circulating blood serum–derived exosomes on orchitis caused by CIS exposure.

Designing high-performance electrocatalysts is one of the key challenges in the development of microbial electrochemical hydrogen production. Transition metal-based (TM-based) electrocatalysts are introduced as an astonishing alternative for future catalysts by addressing several disadvantages, like the high cost and low performance of noble metal and metal-free electrocatalysts, respectively. In this critical review, a comprehensive analysis of the major development of all families of TM-based catalysts from the beginning development of microbial electrolysis cells in the last 15 years is presented. Importantly, pivotal design parameters such as selecting efficient synthesis methods based on the type of material, main criteria during each synthesizing method, and the pros and cons of various procedures are highlighted and compared. Moreover, procedures for tuning and tailoring the structures, advanced strategies to promote active sites, and the potential for implementing novel unexplored TM-based hybrid structures suggested. Furthermore, consideration for large-scale application of TM-based catalysts for future mass production, including life cycle assessment, cost assessment, economic analysis, and recently pilot-scale studies were highlighted. Of great importance, the potential of utilizing artificial intelligence and advanced computational methods such as active learning, microkinetic modeling, and physics-informed machine learning in designing high-performance electrodes in successful practices was elucidated. Finally, a conceptual framework for future studies and remaining challenges on different aspects of TM-based electrocatalysts in microbial electrolysis cells is proposed.

Leveraging the strong interactions between single-atom catalysts (SACs) and two-dimensional (2D) atomically thin materials (ATMs), this review systematically explores the theoretical foundations of structural design and synthetic strategies for SACs@ATMs. It also comprehensively summarizes their reaction mechanisms and highlights recent advances in their application to electrocatalytic water splitting.

In the quest for sustainable and efficient methods to detect heavy metals in the environment, a new study titled "Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Biomass-Derived N-Doped Carbon Dots for Metal Ion Sensing" offers a promising solution. This research explores the innovative use of microwave-assisted synthesis to create nitrogen-doped carbon dots from biomass, providing a green and effective approach to metal ion sensing.

As China continues its rapid development, the emergence of new pollutants poses significant challenges to environmental sustainability and public health. A new study titled "Addressing the Challenges of New Pollutants in China: Current Status, Knowledge Gaps, and Strategic Recommendations" provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of new pollutants, identifies critical knowledge gaps, and offers strategic recommendations for effective pollution control and risk management.

Recently, the team of Academician Xiaojun Peng from Dalian University of Technology, Associate Professor Haidong Li, and the team of Professor Juyoung Yoon from Ewha Womans University, South Korea cooperated to develop a series of near-infrared (NIR) dyes with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics, based on an electron-acceptor engineering strategy to regulate the excited-state dynamic processes of dyes. By introducing diphenylamine into the xanthene structural unit, due to the increase in freely rotatable single bonds and asymmetric structures, the dyes exhibited enhanced AIE characteristics as well as potential for photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and photoacoustic imaging (PAI). Variation in the number of cyano groups within the dyes could regulate their excitation wavelength, PDT efficacy, and PTT capability. Experimental results showed that Hcy-ON displayed high ROS production and heat-generating capacity under 760 nm laser irradiation. Molecular theoretical calculations indicated that Hcy-ON exhibited a significant spin–orbit coupling matrix element (SOCME) value <S₁|SOC|T₃>, with the minimum energy gap between S₁ and T₁ energy levels being 0.678 eV, which is related to its strongest ROS generation capability. In addition, analyses of the singlet–triplet (S–T) energy gap, electron transition mechanism, root-mean-square displacement (RMSD) value, and Huang–Rhys factor confirmed the excellent photothermal performance of Hcy-ON. This strategy provides a new paradigm for constructing multimodal light-driven tumor therapies. This research work was published in CCS Chemistry.