Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are restricted in their energy storage capacity primarily because the considerable size of Na⁺ and inherently slow redox processes limit efficient charge transfer. Transition metal chalcogenides with layered structures have considerable promise as advanced materials of SIBs. Herein, the Ni-doped hollow MoS₂/NC spheres with nitrogen-doped carbon are fabricated by a simple water/ethanol system combined with thermal annealing. Nickel doping effectively modifies the electronic properties of MoS₂, leading to a substantial improvement in electrical conductivity and an increase in the density of electrochemically active sites. The addition of nitrogen-doped carbon within the composite helps to improve redox kinetics, ensuring improved structural integrity. Consequently, the Ni-MoS₂/NC anode demonstrates excellent cycling stability, delivering a capacity of 176 mAh g^-1 at 5.0 A g^-1 for 10,000 cycles. Moreover, a full battery paired with a Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C cathode exhibits impressive rate performance, when the current is restored to 0.1 A g^-1, and it showed a high specific capacity of 326 mAh g^-1, which indicates that the Ni-MoS₂/NC||Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C full battery exhibits robust performance across varying current densities, maintaining high electrochemical reversibility. This effective approach ensures improved electrochemical performance, prolonged cycling life, and higher efficiency, making hollow nanostructures a promising design for next-generation energy storage systems.

Molecular self–assembly is the automatic formation of functional assemblies of different structural components through weak, reversible, non–covalent interactions on the basis of molecular recognition. Amphiphilic molecules have a natural advantage in self–assembly at the gas/liquid interface. In this work, two amphiphilic molecules with a special molecular structure, indocyanine green (ICG) and a derivative of indocyanine green (CCS), were combined with two dye molecules (tetraphenylporphyrin tetrasulfonic acid hydrate (TPPS) and nickel (II) phthalocyanine–tetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium salt (TsNiPc) for self–assembly through the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technique. The nanostructure and assembly behavior in ordered self–assembled films are effectively regulated by inducing dye molecules to form different types of aggregates (H– and J–aggregates). In addition, we prepared composite films containing the same functional components using the conventional drop–casting technique and performed a series of comparative experiments with LB films. The degree of hydrophilicity was found to be related to roughness, with LB composite films being flatter and denser, with the lowest roughness and the best hydrophobicity compared to drop–casting films. Notably, the LB films showed better optoelectronic properties under the same conditions, providing new clues for the application of optoelectronic functional ultrathin film devices.

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) has emerged as a focal point in luminescent materials research, reflecting a growing field of study. Responding to the demand for practical applications across diverse sectors, there is a critical need for CPL materials with high luminescence dissymmetry factors (g lum) and adjustable optical performance, driving the development of novel materials and methodological approaches. Chiral nematic liquid crystals (N*-LCs) have attracted significant attention as promising candidates for producing high-performance CPL materials due to their ability to exhibit enhanced g lum and modulate circularly polarized light. This review comprehensively presents the stimuli-responsive CPL properties, utilizing N*-LCs as chiral templates doped with various photochromic compounds, particularly azobenzene, spiropyran (SP), diarylethene and overcrowded alkene. By elucidating the dynamic interplay between molecular structure, supramolecular organization, and optical response, it offers a profound understanding of the stimuli-responsive CPL behaviors. Additionally, the review also explores the multifaceted applications of photochromic N*-LCs materials, spanning advanced display technologies, optical data storage, and beyond. By examining diverse avenues for leveraging their unique optical properties, it highlights their pivotal role in driving innovation across photonic applications, facilitating transformative advancements in the field.