Hui-Ming Cheng

• PhD
• Managing Director at Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Sciences, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences

hosphorus‐based anodes hold promise for energy storage due to their high theoretical capacity and favorable lithiation potential. However, their practical application is hindered by sluggish reaction kinetics and irreversible capacity loss, primarily attributed to multiphase lithiation/delithiation reactions and the dissolution of lithium polyphosp...

Layered oxide cathode materials with primary–secondary architecture face challenges of inhomogeneous Li⁺ diffusion and chemomechanical degradation due to misorientations between equiaxed primary particles. Although a radial architecture, featuring elongated grains, is widely believed to enhance diffusion, it does not address the root cause of chemo...

State-of-the-art synthesis strategies of two-dimensional (2D) materials have been designed following the nucleation-dominant pattern for structure control. However, this classical methodology fails to achieve the precise layer- and stacking-resolved growth of wafer-scale few-layer 2D materials due to its intrinsically low energy resolution. Here, w...

The increasing accumulation of e‐waste containing precious metals calls for the development of efficient recycling strategies for gold recovery from e‐waste. In this study, we present scalable fabrication (up to 3600 cm²) of rGO/cellulose composite papers with a high rGO areal density of 7.5 g/m² and their use as efficient and large‐area adsorbents...

Understanding anode failure mechanisms in lithium metal batteries (LMBs) is crucial for their use in energy storage, as the anode directly affects battery stability and electrolyte selection. Unfortunately, post-mortem methods reveal failure outcomes but often miss dynamic progressions, obscuring cause-and-effect relationships in failure evolution....

Layered oxide cathode materials with primary‐secondary architecture face challenges of inhomogeneous Li+ diffusion and chemomechanical degradation due to misorientations between equiaxed primary particles. While a radial architecture, featuring elongated grains, is widely believed to enhance diffusion, it does not address the root cause of chemomec...

sustainable energy source and the electro-chemical splitting of water is considered one of the most reliable and efficient ways for the production of hydrogen. [1-3] Elec-trochemical water splitting is based on two half reactions: the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). [4,5] Owing to the intrinsic sluggish ki...

A vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) array is a promising candidate for a high-performance thermal interface material in high-power microprocessors due to its excellent thermal transport property. However, its rough and entangled free tips always cause poor interfacial contact, which results in serious contact resistance dominating the tota...

Emerging machine vision applications require efficient detection of both dynamic events and static grayscale information within visual scenes. Current dynamic vision and active pixel sensors (DAVIS) technology integrates event‐driven vision sensors and active pixel sensors within single pixels. However, the complex multi‐component pixel architectur...

Aqueous zinc-bromine flow batteries are promising for grid storage due to their inherent safety, cost-effectiveness, and high energy density. However, they have a low energy/power density and inferior cycle stability due to irreversible reactions of uncontrolled zinc dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution reaction. Here, we develop a highly reversi...

Zn‐bromine flow batteries (ZBFBs) have recently emerged as a reliable option in large‐scale energy storage. However, the inevitable growth of Zn dendrites on the Zn anode can eventually puncture the membrane that separates the anode and cathode and reaches the cathode to cause an internal short circuit, which significantly impacts the cycling stabi...

This review systematically explores the recent developments in metastable materials synthesized via rapid synthesis methods and establishes a comprehensive framework to connect metastable materials and their electrocatalytic performance.

Over the past two decades, 2D materials have rapidly evolved into a diverse and expanding family of material platforms. Many members of this materials class have demonstrated their potential to deliver transformative impact on fundamental research and technological applications across different fields. In this roadmap, we provide an overview of the...

As Moore's law approaches its physical limits, 3D integrated circuit (3D IC) technology has emerged as a crucial way to increase chip integration density. Due to their small size, high carrier mobility, and low power consumption, carbon nanotube field‐effect transistors (CNTFETs) offer a promising way to overcome the limitations imposed by Moore's...

A hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) Strategy is developed through material design to address the persistent challenge of the HER at the zinc anode. Unlike previous strategies, first‐principles calculations are used to screen the low‐coordinated Nb₂C MXene as the inhibitory medium. By taking advantage of the dual merits of its high |ΔG*H| (1.03 eV)...

The immature design theory of electrolytes limits their targeted solvation structure formation and application in batteries. Here, based on the precondition that an electrolyte or solution is a system at a thermodynamic equilibrium state, we try to develop a thermodynamic theory to guide the electrolyte solvation structure design. In this theory, t...

Hydrogen production from biomass electro‐oxidation offers a promising alternative to water electrolysis by lowering the anodic oxidation barrier and producing valuable chemicals. However, current biomass electro‐oxidation systems have difficulties in achieving an industrial‐scale current density due to the difficulty in cleaving high‐energy C─H and...

Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis is one of the most promising techniques for industrial green hydrogen production. However, the electrocatalysts for hydrogen production have suffered from low activity and poor durability in acidic environment. Here an integrated membrane electrode composed of N‐doped carbon‐coated high‐entropy nanowires...

Powering the electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3⁻RR) by renewable energy is a sustainable way to restore the environment and produce nitrogen–hydrogen compounds. However, the process requires multiple electron transfers and complex reaction paths, making it essential to understand the reaction mechanisms at the molecular level. In this...

The environmental occurrence of anthropogenic chemicals—especially persistent micropollutants of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—raises pressing concerns for global drinking-water safety. Adsorption is an effective technology for removing PFAS but is limited by unsatisfactory adsorption capacity and efficiency. We report a strategy to at...

Hydrogen production from biomass electrooxidation offers a promising alternative to water electrolysis by lowering the anodic oxidation barrier and producing valuable chemicals. However, current biomass electrooxidation systems have difficulties in achieving an industrial‐scale current density due to the difficulty in cleaving high‐energy C‐H and O...

Lithiation reactions driven by chemical potential offer a promising avenue for directly regenerating degraded lithium iron phosphate (LFP). However, the choice of solution system significantly influences the lithium supplementation where improper selection may result in poor lithium recovery or extremely slow kinetics. Herein, it is identified that...

For electronics to be wearable, contactless charging and overall deformability are necessary pre-conditions. However, the current heterogeneous integration based on different active materials and separate manufacturing often leads to mechanical mismatch. Here, we report an ultrastretchable all-in-one integrated MXene-based microsystem comprising wi...

Aqueous zinc‐based batteries (AZBs) are gaining widespread attention owing to their intrinsic safety, relatively low electrode potential, and high theoretical capacity. Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have convenient 2D ion diffusion channels, so they have been identified as promising host materials for AZBs, but face several key challenges...

The intensive and irreplaceable consumption of precious metals (PMs) including Au, Pd, and Pt in the electronic and catalysis industries, coupled with their scarcity in the earth’s crust, demand innovative recycling solutions for PM sustainability ¹⁻⁸ . However, efforts to recycle PMs from leachates of their waste are frustrated by an unsatisfactor...

The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) in China challenges raw material demand. This study evaluates the impact of recycling and reusing EV batteries on reducing material demand and carbon emissions. Integrating a national-level vehicle stock turnover model with life-cycle carbon emission assessment, we found that replacing nickel-cobalt-manga...

With the rapid development of graphene industry, low-cost sustainable synthesis of monolayer graphene oxide (GO) has become more and more important for many applications such as water desalination, thermal management, energy storage and functional composites. Compared to the conventional chemical oxidation methods, water electrolytic oxidation of g...

Sulfur conversion reactions are the foundation of lithium–sulfur batteries but usually possess sluggish kinetics during practical battery operation. Herein, a high‐entropy single‐atom catalyst (HESAC) is synthesized for this process. In contrast to conventional dual‐atom catalysts that form metal–metal bonds, the center metal atoms in HESAC are not...

In-plane anisotropic two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors have gained much interest due to their anisotropic properties, which opens avenues in designing functional electronics. Currently reported in-plane anisotropic semiconductors mainly rely on crystal lattice anisotropy. Herein, AgCrP 2 S 6 (ACPS) is introduced as a promising member to the aniso...

High‐capacity phosphorus‐based anodes have shown promise for fast‐charging/discharging lithium‐ion batteries, but have a low conductivity, and undergo significant volume changes during use, resulting in a poor rate performance and short cycle life. To overcome these limitations, the study has synthesized a hybrid material comprising amorphous ZnP2...

Molecular detection is important in biosensing, food safety, and environmental surveillance. The high biocompatibility, superior mechanical stability, and low cost make plasmon-free surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) a promising sensing technique, the ultrahigh sensitivity of which is urgently pursued for realistic applications. As a proof of...

The vast energy stored in the ocean, which receives an average solar power of ≈60 000 TW per year, surpasses human energy consumption by three orders of magnitude. Harnessing even a small fraction of it holds great promise in addressing global energy and water crises. Here, an integrated device that achieves unprecedented power density up to 1.1 W...

Due to the high energy barrier, slow reaction kinetics, and complex reaction environments of Li‐CO2 batteries, the development of durable and efficient catalysts is essential. Transition metal oxides are promising for their availability, stability, and 3d electronic features, with spin states playing an important role in CO2 activation. In this stu...

Ordering a crucial material like pure‐graphene into the chiral nematic structure can potentially revolutionize the fields of photonics, chiral separation, and energy storage. However, the controlled fabrication of highly ordered graphene films with a long‐range chiral nematic mesoporous structure is very challenging and as such, has not been achiev...

The practical deployment of Zn‐ion batteries faces challenges such as dendrite growth, side reactions and cathode dissolution in traditional electrolytes. Here, we develop a highly conductive and dynamically ion‐sieved electrolyte to simultaneously enhance the Zn metal reversibility and suppress the cathode dissolution. The dynamic ion screen at th...

Due to the low economic benefits and environmental pollution of traditional recycling methods, the disposal of spent LiFePO4 (SLFP) presents a significant challenge. The capacity fade of SLFP cathode is primarily caused by lithium loss and formation of a Fe (III) phase. Herein, a synergistic repair effect is proposed to achieve defect repair and mu...

The practical deployment of Zn‐ion batteries faces challenges such as dendrite growth, side reactions and cathode dissolution in traditional electrolytes. Here, we develop a highly conductive and dynamically ion‐sieved electrolyte to simultaneously enhance the Zn metal reversibility and suppress the cathode dissolution. The dynamic ion screen at th...

The integration of atom clusters and single atoms into a unified system represents a desirable approach for attaining enhanced catalytic performance. Nonetheless, the controllable synthesis of a single‐atom and nanocluster integrated system (SA‐NC) faces considerable challenges, and the mechanisms underlying the catalytic activity remain poorly und...

An efficient and stable electrocatalyst is key for the production of green hydrogen using water electrolysis. However, the weak dissociation ability of Pt‐based catalysts, resulting in slow kinetics severely hampers its applications in alkali medium. Herein, a simple “coincident reduction” strategy is reported to grow highly dispersed Ru‐Pt heterog...

Direct recycling is a promising route for the sustainable management of end-of-life spent cathodes. However, its practical implementation is greatly restricted as most existing methods require heating or high-pressure conditions during the lithiation step to overcome the thermodynamic obstacles and realize lithium replenishment. In this study, we e...

Hot-carrier transistors are a class of devices that leverage the excess kinetic energy of carriers. Unlike regular transistors, which rely on steady-state carrier transport, hot-carrier transistors modulate carriers to high-energy states, resulting in enhanced device speed and functionality. These characteristics are essential for applications that...

The issue of polyiodide crossover at an iodine cathode significantly diminishes the efficiency and practicality of aqueous zinc–iodine flow batteries (ZIFBs). To address this challenge, we have introduced a localized high iodine concentration (LHIC) coating layer onto a porous polyolefin membrane, which featured strong chemical adsorption by exploi...

The swift progress in wearable technology has accentuated the need for flexible power systems. Such systems are anticipated to exhibit high efficiency, robust durability, consistent power output, and the potential for effortless integration. Integrating ultraflexible energy harvesters and energy storage devices to form an autonomous, efficient, and...

The movement of ions along the pressure-driven water flow in narrow channels, known as downstream ionic transport, has been observed since 1859 to induce a streaming potential and has enabled the creation of various hydrovoltaic devices. In contrast, here we demonstrate that proton movement opposing the water flow in two-dimensional nanochannels of...

Two-dimensional semiconductors with high thermal conductivity and charge carrier mobility are of great importance for next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices. However, constrained by the long-held Slack’s criteria, the reported two-dimensional semiconductors such as monolayers of MoS2, WS2, MoSe2, WSe2 and black phosphorus suffer from...

Over the past 70 years, the semiconductor industry has undergone transformative changes, largely driven by the miniaturization of devices and the integration of innovative structures and materials. Two-dimensional (2D) materials like transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and graphene are pivotal in overcoming the limitations of silicon-based tech...

Sustainable battery recycling is essential for achieving resource conservation and alleviating environmental issues. Many open/closed-loop strategies for critical metal recycling or direct recovery aim at a single component, and the reuse of mixed cathode materials is a significant challenge. To address this barrier, here we propose an upcycling st...

The assembly of boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) into strong, flexible thin films capable of withstanding extreme conditions, such as high/low working temperatures and corrosive environments, holds immense promise for numerous applications. However, BNNSs are difficult to assemble and sinter to achieve the dense thin film structure observed in grap...

Although zinc‒air batteries (ZABs) are regarded as one of the most prospective energy storage devices, their practical application has been restricted by poor air electrode performance. Herein, we developed a free‐standing air electrode that is fabricated on the basis of a multifunctional three‐dimensional interconnected graphene network. Specifica...

Advancing fast‐charging technology is an important strategy for the development of alkali metal ion batteries (AMIBs). The exploitation of a new generation of anode material system with high‐rate performance, high capacity, and low risk of lithium/sodium/potassium plating is critical to realize fast‐charging capability of AMIBs while maintaining hi...

Producing hydrogen by splitting seawater using renewable energy is a promising way to obtain a clean energy carrier. However, neither direct electrolysis nor post-desalination electrolysis techniques work well due to the complex composition of seawater and the large amount of energy needed. We report a solar-driven continuous seawater electrolysis...

Aurivillius compounds‐based photocatalysts have attracted extensive interest largely due to their ferroelectric properties and modifiable characteristics arising from the alternate stacking of structural units. However, the interfacial Schottky barrier between such semiconducting compounds as light absorbers and metallic cocatalysts for hydrogen ev...

It remains a significant challenge to construct active sites to break the trade‐off between oxidation and reduction processes occurring in battery cathodes with conversion mechanism, especially for the oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR/OER) involved in the zinc‐air batteries (ZABs). Here, using a high‐entropy‐driven electric dipole tran...

Oxide catalysts are attractive in Li-CO2 batteries for their activity and stability. However, discerning the active sites and contributing factors for battery reactions is still challenging due to the presence of passive spectator species. Herein, we use Co3O4 to uncover the geometry-dependent activity and propose the key parameters that govern rea...

Two-dimensional materials with ultrahigh in-plane thermal conductivity are ideal for heat spreader applications but cause significant thermal contact resistance in complex interfaces, limiting their use as thermal interface materials. In this study, we present an interfacial phonon bridge strategy to reduce the thermal contact resistance of boron n...

Transition metal tellurides (TMTs) have been ideal materials for exploring exotic properties in condensed-matter physics, chemistry and materials science1–3. Although TMT nanosheets have been produced by top-down exfoliation, their scale is below the gram level and requires a long processing time, restricting their effective application from labora...

Single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/Si heterojunction photodetectors have the advantages of high photoresponse ability and simple structure, however, their detection wavelength range are usually lower than 1100 nm, which limits their application in the infrared band. We report a SWCNT/Cu/Si photodetector with both a high photoresponse and a detecti...

The conventional fabrication of bulk van der Waals (vdW) materials requires a temperature above 1,000 °C to sinter from the corresponding particulates. Here we report the near-room-temperature densification (for example, ∼45 °C for 10 min) of two-dimensional nanosheets to form strong bulk materials with a porosity of <0.1%, which are mechanically s...

Bifacial perovskite solar cells have shown great promise for increasing power output by capturing light from both sides. However, the suboptimal optical transmittance of back metal electrodes together with the complex fabrication process associated with front transparent conducting oxides have hindered the development of efficient bifacial PSCs. He...

Developing highly efficient catalysts is significant for Li-CO 2 batteries. However, understanding the exact structure of catalysts during battery operation remains a challenge, which hampers knowledge-driven optimization. Here we use X-ray absorption spectroscopy to probe the reconstruction of CoS x (x = 8/9, 1.097, and 2) pre-catalysts and identi...