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Glass, a diverse family of amorphous materials, has significantly advanced human society across various fields. The demand for flexible ultrathin glass, driven by modern optical displays and portable optoelectronics, presents challenges in energy consumption, fabrication complexity, and recycling. Here, we demonstrate flexibility and full-color luminescence in large-scale ultrathin glasses derived from readily available natural resources, specifically egg albumen (EA) and gelatin (GEL), via an evaporation-driven self-assembly process. The dynamic crosslinked networks formed through hydrogen bonding between EA and GEL impart both high hardness and flexibility to the glasses, with hardness and flexural strength values comparable to state-of-the-art inorganic and organic glasses. Additionally, the EA–GEL-based glasses exhibit excitation-dependent and time-gated chiral ultralong phosphorescence with color from blue and red, and a lifetime of up to 180.4 ms. With their easy processability and full-color emission, these biogenic glasses can be fabricated into anti-counterfeiting patterns and optical information codes. There is an increasing demand for thin, flexible glass, but its fabrication and recycling can be complex. Here, the authors report the development of flexible glass with full-color luminescence, derived from egg albumin and gelatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamically responsive materials, capable of reversible changes in color appearance and/or photoemission upon external stimuli, have attracted substantial attention across various fields. This study presents an effective approach wherein switchable modulation of photochromism and ultralong phosphorescence can be achieved simultaneously in a zero-dimensional organic-inorganic halide hybrid glass doped with 4,4´-bipyridine. The facile fabrication of large-scale glasses is accomplished through a combined grinding-melting-quenching process. The persistent luminescence can be regulated through the photochromic switch induced by photo-generated radicals. Furthermore, the incorporation of the aggregation-induced chirality effect generates intriguing circularly polarized luminescence, with an optical dissymmetry factor (glum) reaching the order of 10–2. Exploiting the dynamic ultralong phosphorescence, this work further achieves promising applications, such as three-dimensional optical storage, rewritable photo-patterning, and multi-mode anti-counterfeiting with ease. Therefore, this study introduces a smart hybrid glass platform as a new photo-responsive switchable system, offering versatility for a wide array of photonic applications. Dynamically responsive afterglow materials are typically fabricated as single crystals, polymers or powders. Here, the authors use zero-dimensional metal halides and organic dopants to develop photochromic glasses for diverse optical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long persistent luminescence (LPL) has gained considerable attention for the applications in decoration, emergency signage, information encryption and biomedicine. However, recently developed LPL materials – encompassing inorganics, organics and inorganic-organic hybrids – often display monochromatic afterglow with limited functionality. Furthermore, triplet exciton-based phosphors are prone to thermal quenching, significantly restricting their high emission efficiency. Here, we show a straightforward wet-chemistry approach for fabricating multimode LPL materials by introducing both anion (Br−) and cation (Sn2+) doping into hexagonal CsCdCl3 all-inorganic perovskites. This process involves establishing new trapping centers from [CdCl6-nBrn]4− and/or [Sn2-nCdnCl9]5− linker units, disrupting the local symmetry in the host framework. These halide perovskites demonstrate afterglow duration time (> 2,000 s), nearly full-color coverage, high photoluminescence quantum yield (~ 84.47%), and the anti-thermal quenching temperature up to 377 K. Particularly, CsCdCl3:x%Br display temperature-dependent LPL and time-valve controllable time-dependent luminescence, while CsCdCl3:x%Sn exhibit forward and reverse excitation-dependent Janus-type luminescence. Combining both experimental and computational studies, this finding not only introduces a local-symmetry breaking strategy for simultaneously enhancing afterglow lifetime and efficiency, but also provides new insights into the multimode LPL materials with dynamic tunability for applications in luminescence, photonics, high-security anti-counterfeiting and information storage. Long persistent luminescence materials often show monochromatic emission. Here, the authors fabricate a series of inorganic halide perovskites with time-dependent afterglow color and reverse excitation-dependent Janus-type luminescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular ultralong room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP), exhibiting multiple stimuli‐responsive characteristics, has garnered considerable attention due to its potential applications in light‐emitting devices, sensors, and information safety. This work proposes the utilization of photochemical cascade processes (PCCPs) in molecular crystals to design a stepwise smart RTP switch. By harnessing the sequential dynamics of photo‐burst movement (induced by [2+2] photocycloaddition) and photochromism (induced by photogenerated radicals) in a bismuth (Bi)‐based metal‐organic halide (MOH), a continuous and photo‐responsive ultralong RTP can be achieved. Furthermore, utilizing the same Bi‐based MOH, diverse application demonstrations, such as multi‐mode anti‐counterfeiting and information encryption, can be easily implemented. This work thus not only serves as a proof‐of‐concept for the development of solid‐state PCCPs that integrate photosalient effect and photochromism with light‐chemical‐mechanical energy conversion, but also lays the groundwork for designing new Bi‐based MOHs with dynamically responsive ultralong RTP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this concept, we showcase the upsurge in the studies of dynamic ultralong room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials containing inorganic and/or organic components as versatile photo‐responsive platforms. The goal is to provide a comprehensive analysis of photo‐controllable RTP, and meanwhile delve into the underlying RTP properties of various classes of photochromic materials including metal‐organic complexes, organic‐inorganic co‐crystals, purely organic small molecules and organic polymers. In particular, the design principles governing the integration of the photochromic and RTP moieties within a single material system, and the tuning of dynamic RTP in response to light are emphasized. As such, this concept sheds light on the challenges and opportunities of using these tunable RTP materials for potential applications in optoelectronics, particularly highlighting their use of reversible information encryption, erasable light printing and rewritable smart paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The luminescence color of molecule‐based photoactive materials is the key to the applications in lighting and optical communication. Realizing continuous regulation of emission color in molecular systems is highly desirable but still remains a challenge due to the individual emission band of purely organic molecules. Herein, a novel alloy strategy based on molecular co‐crystals is reported. By adjusting the molar ratio of pyrene (Py) and fluorathene (Flu), three types of molecular co‐crystal alloys (MCAs) assemblies are prepared involving Py‐Flu‐OFN‐x%, Py‐Flu‐TFP‐x%, Py‐Flu‐TCNB‐x%. Multiple energy level structure and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) process endow materials with tunable full‐spectra emission color in visible region. Impressively, these MCAs and co‐crystals can be successfully applied to low optical loss waveguide and optical logic gate by virtue of all‐color luminescence from blue across green to red, together with smooth surface of one‐dimensional microrods, which show promising applications as continuous light emitters for advance photonics applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the polymorphism of a weakly polar molecule, dibenzoylmethane, in which the intramolecular hydrogen-bonded enol "chelated" form is favoured. A simple geometric method on the basis of interatomic distance to visualize and count favourable connections between non-hydrogen atoms was constructed to judge the strength of intermolecular interactions in polymorphs of this kind of weakly polar molecule. The number of total favourable connections mirrored with resonance-assisted hydrogen bonds (RAHB) and aromatic interactions in DBM polymorphs increases from forms I to III, in agreement with the order of their equivalent interaction energies, proving that it is feasible for this geometric approach to be used in this weakly polar system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient synthesis of CnH2n+1OH (n=1, 2) via photochemical CO2 reduction holds promise for achieving carbon neutrality but remains challenging. Here, we present rare earth dual single atoms (SAs) catalysts containing ErN6 and NdN6 moieties, fabricated via an atom‐confinement and coordination method. The dual Er−Nd SAs catalysts exhibit unprecedented generation rates of 1761.4 μmol g−1 h−1 and 987.7 μmol g−1 h−1 for CH3CH2OH and CH3OH, respectively. Through a combination of theoretical calculation, XAFS analysis, aberration‐corrected HAADF‐STEM, and in‐situ FTIR spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the Er SAs facilitate charge transfer, serving as active centers for C−C bond formation, while Nd SAs provide the necessary *CO for C−C coupling in C2H5OH synthesis under visible light. Furthermore, the experiment and DFT calculation elucidate that the variety of electronic states induced by 4 f orbitals of the Er SAs and the p−f orbital hybridization of Er−N moieties enable the formation of charge‐transfer channel. Therefore, this study sheds light on the pivotal role of *CO adsorption in achieving efficient conversion from CO2 to CnH2n+1OH (n=1, 2) via a novel rare earth‐based dual SAs photocatalysis approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zero‐dimensional (0D) hybrid metal halides have been emerged as room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials, but synchronous optimization of multiple phosphorescence performance in one structural platform remains less resolved, and stable RTP activity in aqueous medium is also unrealized due to serious instability toward water and oxygen. Herein, we demonstrated a photophysical tuning strategy in a new 0D hybrid zinc halide family of (BTPP)2ZnX4 (BTPP=benzyltriphenylphosphonium, X=Cl and Br). Infrequently, the delicate combination of organic and inorganic species enables this family to display multiple ultralong green afterglow and efficient self‐trapped exciton (STE) associated cyan phosphorescence. Compared with inert luminescence of [BTPP]+ cation, incorporation of anionic [ZnX4]2− effectively enhance the spin‐orbit coupling effect, which significantly boosts the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) up to 30.66 % and 54.62 % for afterglow and phosphorescence, respectively. Synchronously, the corresponding luminescence lifetime extend to 143.94 ms and 0.308 μs surpassing the indiscernible phosphorescence of [BTPP]X salt. More importantly, this halide family presents robust RTP emission with nearly unattenuated PLQY in water and harsh condition (acid and basic aqueous solution) over half a year. The highly efficient integrated afterglow and STE phosphorescence as well as ultrahigh aqueous state RTP realize multiple anti‐counterfeiting applications in wide chemical environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The C-C bond cleavage of biomass-derived glycerol to generate value-added C1 products remains challenging owing to its slow kinetics. We propose a surface fluorination strategy to construct dynamic dual hydrogen bonds on a semiconducting BiVO 4 photoelectrode to overcome the kinetic limit of the oxidation of glycerol to produce formic acid (FA) in acidic media. Intensive spectroscopic characterizations confirm that double hydrogen bonds are formed by the interaction of the F-Bi-F sites of modified BiVO 4 with water molecules, and the unique structure promotes the generation of hydroxyl radicals under light irradiation, which accelerates the kinetics of C-C bond cleavage. Theoretical investigations and infrared adsorption spectroscopy reveal that the double hydrogen bond enhances the C=O adsorption of the key intermediate product 1,3-dihydroxyacetone on the Bi-O sites to initiate the FA pathway. We fabricated a self-powered tandem device with an FA selectivity of 79% at the anode and a solar-to-H 2 conversion efficiency of 5.8% at the cathode, and these results are superior to most reported results in acidic electrolytes., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

In response to carbon neutrality, photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 has been the subject of growing interest for researchers over the past few years. Multi-carbon products (C 2+ ) with higher energy density and larger market value produced from photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 are still very limited owing to the low photocatalytic productivity and poor selectivity of products. This review focuses on the recent progress on photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 towards C 2+ products from the perspective of performance evaluation and mechanistic understanding. We first provide a systematic description of the entire fundamental procedures of photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 . An in-depth strategy analysis for improving the selectivity of photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 to C 2+ products is then addressed. Then the focus was on summarizing the ways to improve C 2+ selectivity. The intrinsic mechanisms of photocatalytic reduction of CO 2 to C 2+ products are summarized in the final. Combining the foundation of photocatalysis with promising catalyst strategies, this review will offer valuable guidance for the development of efficient photocatalytic systems for the synthesis of C 2+ products., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Innovative advances in the exploitation of effective electrocatalytic materials for the reduction of nitrogen (N 2 ) to ammonia (NH 3 ) are highly required for the sustainable production of fertilizers and zero-carbon emission fuel. In order to achieve zero-carbon footprints and renewable NH 3 production, electrochemical N 2 reduction reaction (NRR) provides a favorable energy-saving alternative but it requires more active, efficient, and selective catalysts. In current work, sulfur vacancy (Sv)-rich NiCo 2 S 4 @MnO 2 heterostructures are efficaciously fabricated via a facile hydrothermal approach followed by heat treatment. The urchin-like Sv-NiCo 2 S 4 @MnO 2 heterostructures serve as cathodes, which demonstrate an optimal NH 3 yield of 57.31 µg h -1  mg cat -1 and Faradaic efficiency of 20.55% at -0.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) in basic electrolyte owing to the synergistic interactions between Sv-NiCo 2 S 4 and MnO 2 . Density functional theory (DFT) simulation further verifies that Co-sites of urchin-like Sv-NiCo 2 S 4 @MnO 2 heterostructures are beneficial to lowering the energy threshold for N 2 adsorption and successive protonation. Distinctive micro/nano-architectures exhibit high NRR electrocatalytic activities that might motivate researchers to explore and concentrate on the development of heterostructures for ambient electrocatalytic NH 3 generation., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)