Researchers report a molecular design strategy for high-voltage organic cathodes in aluminum batteries. By constructing a sulfur-heterocyclic polymer with weak electron-donating effect and super-crosslinked sites, the cathode achieves a high voltage of ~1.7 V and a high capacity of 150 mAh g⁻¹. The designed organic cathode achieves a record 255 Wh kg⁻¹ energy density, breaking the upper limit of conventional graphite cathodes (~200 Wh kg⁻¹).

A nonfused ring electron acceptor (NFREA), designated as TT-Ph-C6, has been synthesized with the aim of enhancing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs). By integrating asymmetric phenylalkylamino side groups, TT-Ph-C6 demonstrates excellent solubility and its crystal structure exhibits compact packing structures with a three-dimensional molecular stacking network. These structural attributes markedly promote exciton diffusion and charge carrier mobility, particularly advantageous for the fabrication of thick-film devices. TT-Ph-C6-based devices have attained a PCE of 18.01% at a film thickness of 100 nm, and even at a film thickness of 300 nm, the PCE remains at 14.64%, surpassing that of devices based on 2BTh-2F. These remarkable properties position TT-Ph-C6 as a highly promising NFREA material for boosting the efficiency of OSCs.

Thermoelectric (TE) materials, being capable of converting waste heat into electricity, are pivotal for sustainable energy solutions. Among emerging TE materials, organic TE materials, particularly conjugated polymers, are gaining prominence due to their unique combination of mechanical flexibility, environmental compatibility, and solution-processable fabrication. A notable candidate in this field is poly(2,5-bis(3-alkylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) (PBTTT), a liquid-crystalline conjugated polymer, with high charge carrier mobility and adaptability to melt-processing techniques. Recent advancements have propelled PBTTT’s figure of merit from below 0.1 to a remarkable 1.28 at 368 K, showcasing its potential for practical applications. This review systematically examines strategies to enhance PBTTT’s TE performance through doping (solution, vapor, and anion exchange doping), composite engineering, and aggregation state controlling. Recent key breakthroughs include ion exchange doping for stable charge modulation, multi-heterojunction architectures reducing thermal conductivity, and proton-coupled electron transfer doping for precise Fermi-level tuning. Despite great progress, challenges still persist in enhancing TE conversion efficiency, balancing or decoupling electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity, and leveraging melt-processing scalability of PBTTT. By bridging fundamental insights with applied research, this work provides a roadmap for advancing PBTTT-based TE materials toward efficient energy harvesting and wearable electronics.

In a paper published in Science Bulletin, a Chinese team of scientists estimated carbon sequestration rates of urban forests in China from 1995 to 2060 under three climate scenarios.

The challenge of photosynthesizing hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) from water and oxygen lies in the high O–H bond dissociation energy in water molecules, which leads to sluggish kinetics in hydrogen donor reactions. This study presents a novel catalytic strategy by constructing single-atom palladium sites (Pd–CNO₂) within a keto-form anthraquinone-based covalent organic framework (KfAQ-Pd), effectively promoting water oxidation reactions and achieving efficient H₂O₂ photosynthesis in neutral aqueous environments, with a high yield of 3828 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹. Experimental evidence and theoretical simulations reveal that the Pd–CNO₂ sites enhance the hydrophilicity of KfAQ, disrupt the hydrogen-bond network in surface-adsorbed water clusters, and facilitate the cleavage of O–H bonds. The generated H₃O⁺ can be reduced by photoexcited electrons, promoting the anthraquinone hydrogenation reaction and enabling the efficient H₂O₂ synthesis cycle. This study provides a new approach for solar-driven green hydrogen peroxide synthesis under neutral conditions.