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Aerobic oxidation of the C–H bond is a fundamental transformation in heterogeneous catalysis, yet achieving high selectivity remains challenging because the oxidation products are often more reactive than the starting hydrocarbons. Herein, we demonstrate that a Mn2O3-supported Pd single-atom catalyst (Pd1/Mn2O3) enables selective aerobic oxidation of the benzylic C–H bond to ketones while suppressing undesired overoxidation via C–C bond cleavage. Other SAC systems, including Au1/Mn2O3, Ru1/Mn2O3, and Pd1/TiO2, exhibit similar selectivity trends, supporting the generality of the mechanistic insight. Combined experimental and DFT studies reveal that single atoms are intrinsically inactive toward further oxidation of ketones due to their inability to promote keto–enol transformation, thereby preventing C–C bond cleavage and overcoming the conventional activity–selectivity trade-off. This work provides a mechanistic understanding of selective C–H activation in heterogeneous catalysis.

Iron-ion batteries represent a compelling energy storage solution due to the cost-effectiveness, suitable redox potential, and high capacity of Fe negative electrodes. Polyaniline positive electrodes for iron-ion batteries have demonstrated promising electrochemical redox properties, but face limited redox-accessible groups and unstable -NH- sites. Here we show phosphorus redox activity in a carboxyl small molecule electrode. 4,4',4″-phosphanetriyltribenzoic acid and 4,4',4″-nitrilotribenzoic acid are designed via modulating the electron-donating P and tert-N motifs, showing tuned charge distributions and energy levels. With the decrease of the electronegativity and energy barrier (N > P), 4,4',4″-phosphanetriyltribenzoic acid exhibits stronger Fe2+ coordination with carboxyl sites, and brings closed CF3SO3- proximity to P centers. This feature ensures high activity of carboxyl/phosphorus sites with low activation energy (0.24 vs. 0.29 eV for 4,4',4″-nitrilotribenzoic acid). 4,4',4″-phosphanetriyltribenzoic acid with P-extended conjugated structure achieves low energy gap (2.28 eV) compared to its individual carboxyl or P-containing counterparts (2.71/3.16 eV), thereby enabling high utilization of carboxyl/P motifs (98.5%) and enhanced redox voltage (0.8 V). A stable 4 e- Fe2+/CF3SO3- storage of 4,4',4″-phosphanetriyltribenzoic acid positive electrode endows Fe battery with high specific capacity (276 mAh g-1) and cycling stability (60,000 cycles). This work highlights the potential of phosphorus-active organic materials toward iron-ion batteries.

Background: Prone trans-psoas (PTP) interbody fusion is a minimally invasive technique for sagittal correction in adult spinal deformity. Advantages include enhanced lordosis due to prone positioning and avoidance of patient repositioning. The same approach allows for anterior longitudinal ligament release, which may improve lordotic correction. However, limited data exist on the combined technique, prompting this investigation into postoperative complications and radiographic outcomes of PTP interbody fusion versus combined PTP with anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) release (PTP-ALL). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary academic center from November 2020 to October 2023. Patients were grouped into two cohorts: PTP and PTP-ALL. Radiographic outcomes included changes in segmental lordosis, lumbar lordosis, L4-S1 lordosis, pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) mismatch, T1-pelvic angle, and sagittal vertical axis. Complications assessed were wound infections, venous thromboses, transfusions, and mortalities. Welch’s modified two-sample t-tests and chi-squared tests were used for analysis. Results: Twenty-two patients underwent PTP and six underwent PTP-ALL. There were no significant differences in operative time ( P =0.443), length of stay ( P =0.169), or estimated blood loss ( P =0.795). No complications occurred in the PTP-ALL group. Compared to PTP, PTP-ALL achieved greater improvements in segmental lordosis (9.3° vs. 1.6°, P =0.134), lumbar lordosis (30.6° vs. 8.5°, P =0.003), L4-S1 lordosis (10.2° vs. 6°, P =0.25), and PI-LL mismatch correction (25.8° vs. 8.9°, P =0.036). Conclusions: PTP with ALL release may be a safe and effective option to enhance sagittal correction in adult spinal deformity without increasing perioperative complications. However, the small sample size limits the generalizability of these findings and underscores the need for further study. Level of Evidence: III

Rising demand for lithium (Li) driven by lithium-ion battery (LIB) proliferation underscores the importance of sustainable recycling. Conventional processes for recovering Li from spent LIB leachate are energy-intensive or chemically demanding, compromising the environmental and economic viability. This study introduces an ecofriendly approach using capillary-driven three-dimensional (3D) evaporative crystallization within a porous cotton matrix. Low-solubility salts (CoCl2, MnCl2, and NiCl2) crystallize proximally, while highly dissolvable LiCl migrates toward the distal zone, achieving spatial separation on the crystallizer. Maximum selectivity reached 109.5 (Li/Co), 7.8 (Li/Ni), and 3.2 (Li/Mn) in the simulated leachate, corresponding to a 4.7-fold enrichment of Li abundance. A comparable selective Li separation was demonstrated for a real leachate, confirming the practical potential of the approach. The natural-physiochemical-process-induced 3D evaporative crystallization eliminates high energy or chemical inputs, providing a sustainable and low-cost pathway for selective Li recovery from variable spent LIB leachates.

All-Solid-State Thin-Film Batteries In their Research Article (10.1002/adfm.202520552), Yanhua Cui and co-workers evaluate the effects of growth strain relaxation and intragranular structure defect distribution on the reversible structural phase transition for high-voltage thin-film cathodes. The image depicts that the longitudinal transition metal layer can be locked by the robust substrate layer, protecting the host structure against distortion and holding long-term cycle life.

ABSTRACT MXene‐based proton pseudocapacitors are promising candidates for microscale electronic devices due to their superior portability and high‐power density, yet their advancement is constrained by the scarcity of efficient electrode materials. Herein, a nitrogen‐directed Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene with substitution of terminal functional groups by nitrogen is proposed as a high‐efficiency electrode material for proton pseudocapacitors. This strategy introduces multiple surface‐active sites and a new pathway for fast proton storage for achieving high specific capacitance. Impressively, a nitrogen‐directed proton storage mechanism is unraveled in the terminal N groups can preferentially interact with protons and lower the diffusion energy barrier toward adjacent active‐sites, substantially facilitating the storage of protons. As a result, the N300‐Ti 3 C 2 T x delivers excellent capacitance retention of 84.48% after 30,000 cycles at 2 A g −1 . Furthermore, in‐plane proton pseudocapacitors are fabricated via direct ink writing, which shows great compatibility with various connection configurations, validating the superior potential in application feasibility of the N‐directed Ti 3 C 2 T x on proton storage.

Polyethylene (PE) is susceptible to photo-oxidative degradation under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, exhibits limited thermal/oxidative stability, and faces stiffness-toughness trade-offs. This work examines TiO₂ and ZnO nanoparticles-employed as bare and surface-modified fillers with a PE-g-MA compatibilizer-to optimize the UV resistance, thermal stability, and mechanical performance of PE composites. Composites were produced by melt compounding and solution casting. Accelerated UV weathering was performed, and specimens were characterized by FTIR carbonyl index, UV-Vis, TGA/DSC/DMA, and SEM/TEM; differences were evaluated using ANOVA. Coated TiO 2 ⁄ ZnO at 1 − 3 wt % delivered the best balance, increasing oxidative-induction time, raising TGA onset temperature, and elevating crystallinity and storage modulus while preserving tensile strength after aging. Surface modification suppressed photocatalytic discoloration and embrittlement, whereas compatibilization improved interfacial stress transfer. The improvements arise from UV attenuation, heterogeneous nucleation, and strengthened polymer-filler interfaces. The findings demonstrate applicability to industrial packaging and outdoor parts; limitations include agglomeration and viscosity growth at higher loadings.