The constructed CuS/MoS ₂ heterojunctions showed superior Cr( vi ) photoreduction compared to pure CuS and MoS ₂ .

In aqueous zinc‑ion batteries (AZIBs), uncontrolled dendrite growth and parasitic corrosion reactions critically limit long‑term stability. Constructing a robust organic–inorganic solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) has emerged as an effective strategy; however, the mechanistic origin of Zn‐anode stabilization remains insufficiently understood. Here, we in situ construct an ultrathin organic–inorganic hybrid SEI (Zn‐S‐RCOOH) on Zn using a multifunctional organic acid, mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA). The COOH‑rich organic outer layer restructures the interfacial hydrogen‑bond (HB) network, lowers H ₂ O activity, and accelerates desolvation, whereas the inner ZnS layer provides fast Zn ²⁺ migration pathways, collectively enhancing reaction kinetics and promoting (002) oriented Zn deposition. Owing to these synergistic effects, dendrite formation and corrosion are effectively inhibited. The MSA/Zn electrode operates stably for over 2400 h at 10 mA cm ⁻² and 5 mAh cm ⁻² , and maintains>500 h stability even at a high depth of discharge (DOD, 81 %). Moreover, MSA/Zn||MnO ₂ full cells exhibited capacities of ∼189.7 and 142 mAh g ⁻¹ with high‐capacity retention (99.18 % and 97.55 %) at 0.3 and 1 A g ⁻¹ , respectively. So, our findings proposed a rational interfacial‐engineering strategy for designing durable Zn metal anodes and advancing high‐performance aqueous zinc‐ion batteries.

The extraction of chitin/chitosan from biowaste shrimp shells involves the heavy use of strong acids and alkaline solutions, resulting in a series of decomposed amino acids in the extraction waste. Herein, we demonstrate a new strategy to grow FeNi nanoalloys encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (3FeNi-NCNTs) at a high percentage by sintering the extracted amino acids, FeCl₃, NiCl₂ and melamine at 900 ℃ in N₂. The FeNi-NCNT exhibits a competitive limiting current density in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to the commercial 20% Pt/C, with the onset potential and half-wave potential at 0.98 V and 0.84 V versus RHE. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance also rivals the RuO₂ catalyst, and the overpotential (E_j=10 mAcm^-2 - E_1/2) of as low as 0.76 V, highlighting a green pathway to yield superior bifunctional catalysts at low cost. When used in zinc-air batteries (ZABs), the aqueous ZAB showed excellent cyclic and rate performance, together with the peak power density and specific capacity of 173.6 mW cm^-2 and 809.9 mAh g^-1 (corresponding to an energy density of XXX Wh kg^-1 based on the mass of consumed zinc); and the flexible ZAB with a polyacryl-amide hydrogel electrolyte also exhibited a high peak power density of 133 mWcm^-2 and a long cycle life of 140 h, superior to the reference Pt/RuO₂-based ZABs, highlighting a sustainable biowaste upcycling of shrimp shell valorization on energy storage. Graphical Abstract

The recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is crucial for the sustainable utilization of metal resources. However, challenges such as range anxiety hinder its widespread adoption, thereby driving the pursuit of next-generation energy storage systems with higher energy densities. In this study, we report the development of a trifunctional electrocatalyst, URCA-800, derived from recycled carbon black obtained from ternary LIB cathode materials. The activation process involved vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) irradiation in the presence of melamine as a nitrogen source, enabling effective N-doping and structural modification. Following calcination at 800 °C, the resulting URCA-800 catalyst exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic performance toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and iodine reduction reaction (IRR). Specifically, URCA-800 achieved an ORR half-wave potential of 0.80 V (vs. RHE) and an OER overpotential of 363 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm ^− 2 in 0.1 mol L ^− 1 KOH, comparable to the performance of commercial Pt/C and IrO ₂ catalysts. When applied as a cathode in zinc-air batteries, URCA-800 delivered a high-power density of 196 mW cm ^− 2 and demonstrated excellent operational stability exceeding 400 h. Furthermore, in zinc-iodine batteries, it achieved a high specific capacity of 188.8 mAh g ^− 1 , an impressive iodine utilization efficiency of 89.6%, and outstanding cycling stability over 3,400 cycles. This work presents a scalable and environmentally friendly approach to convert battery waste into high-performance, multifunctional electrocatalysts, offering a promising pathway for advanced energy storage technologies.