Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have accumulated significant interest due to their exceptional physicochemical properties and remarkable applications in biomedicine, electronics, and catalysis sensing. This comprehensive review provides an in-depth study of synthetic approaches such as biological synthesis, chemical synthesis, and physical synthesis with a detailed overview of their sub-methodologies, highlighting advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, structural properties affected by synthesis methods are discussed in detail by examining the dimensions and surface morphology. The review explores the distinctive properties of Ag NPs, including optical, electrical, catalytic, and antimicrobial properties, which render them beneficial for a range of applications. Furthermore, this review describes the diverse applications in several fields, such as medicine, environmental science, electronics, and optoelectronics. However, with numerous applications, several kinds of issues still exist. Future attempts need to address difficulties regarding synthetic techniques, environmental friendliness, and affordability. In order to ensure the secure utilization of Ag NPs, it is necessary to establish sustainability in synthetic techniques and eco-friendly production methods. This review aims to give a comprehensive overview of the synthesis, structural analysis, properties, and multifaceted applications of Ag NPs.

Flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators are emerging as a promising solution for powering next-generation flexible electronics by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. However, traditional ferroelectric ceramics, despite their excellent piezoelectric properties, lack flexibility; while piezoelectric polymers, although highly flexible, have low piezoelectricity. The quest to develop materials that combine high piezoelectricity with exceptional flexibility has thus become a research focus. Herein, we present a breakthrough in this field with the fabrication of freestanding (111)-oriented PbZr_0.52Ti_0.48O₃ single crystalline thin films, which exhibit remarkable flexibility and a high converse piezoelectric coefficient (~585 pm/V). This is achieved through water-soluble sacrificial layer to relieve substrate clamping and controlling the crystal orientation to further enhance the piezoelectric response. Our nanogenerators, constructed using these freestanding nanoscale membranes, demonstrate a record-high output power density (~63.5 mW/cm³), excellent flexibility (with a strain tolerance >3.4%), and superior mechanical stability in cycling tests (>60,000 cycles). These advancements pave the way for high-performance, flexible electronic devices utilizing ferroelectric oxide thin films.

High mechanical ductility and high mechanical strength are important for materials including polymers. Current methods to increase the ductility of polymers such as plasticization always cause a remarkable drop in the ultimate tensile strength. There is no report on the ductilization of polymers that can notably increase the elongation at break while not lowering the ultimate tensile strength. Here, we report the salt-induced ductilization of an intrinsically conducting polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS). Treating highly conductive PEDOT:PSS with a salt such as sodium perchlorate can enhance its elongation at break from 8.5 to 53.2%, whereas it hardly affects the tensile strength. Moreover, the resistance of the ductilized PEDOT:PSS films is insensitive to the tensile strain before fracture and slightly increases by only ~6% during the cyclic tensile testing with the strain up to 30%. These effects are ascribed to the decrease in the Coulomb attraction between PEDOT ⁺ and PSS ⁻ by the salt ions.

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) possess the advantages of high safety, high energy density and long cycle life, which hold great promise for future energy storage systems. The advent of printed electronics has transformed the paradigm of battery manufacturing as it offers a range of accessible, versatile, cost-effective, time-saving and ecoefficiency manufacturing techniques for batteries with outstanding microscopic size and aesthetic diversity. In this review, the state-of-the-art technologies and structural characteristics of printed SSBs have been comprehensively summarized and discussed, with a focus on the cutting-edge printing processes. Representative materials for fabricating printed electrodes and solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) have been systematically outlined, and performance optimization methods of printed SSBs through material modification have been discussed. Furthermore, this article highlights the design principles and adjustment strategies of printing processes of advanced SSB devices to realize high performance. Finally, the persistent challenges and potential opportunities are also highlighted and discussed, aiming to enlighten the future research for mass production of printed SSBs. Graphical

Printing technology has revolutionized manufacturing by enabling high-volume, multipurpose, low-cost production with minimal environmental impact. This advancement has led to the integration of flexible electronic devices, such as displays, actuators, and sensors, into various consumer markets. Over the past few decades, printed electronics have garnered significant interest from both academic and industrial communities. Among these, flexible strain sensors stand out due to their adaptability and potential for large-scale applications. However, a comprehensive analysis of their sensing performance, particularly with respect to printability, remains lacking. This review aims to systematically explore the development of flexible strain sensors produced through printing technology, focusing on key aspects such as the formulation of conductive inks, the use of diverse substrate materials, and the challenges associated with printability. Additionally, it delves into the practical applications of these sensors across multiple industries. By providing an in-depth examination of these factors, this review offers valuable insights into the current state of printed electronics and highlights their future potential in advancing flexible sensing technologies.