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Creators/Authors contains: "Zhai, Lei"

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  1. In this work, we show how the combination of soluble non-polar and polar links allows for the preparation of multivariate metal–organic frameworks (MTV MOFs) that exhibit dipolar solid-solution behavior. 
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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available June 30, 2026
  2. A hierarchical heterogeneous palladium on nickel foam-based catalyst system was demonstrated for the selective hydrogenation of quinoline and quinoline derivatives under low H2pressures, with green solvents (ethanol, ethanol water mixture). 
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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available January 1, 2026
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  4. Abstract Metal anode instability, including dendrite growth, metal corrosion, and hetero-ions interference, occurring at the electrolyte/electrode interface of aqueous batteries, are among the most critical issues hindering their widespread use in energy storage. Herein, a universal strategy is proposed to overcome the anode instability issues by rationally designing alloyed materials, using Zn-M alloys as model systems (M = Mn and other transition metals). An in-situ optical visualization coupled with finite element analysis is utilized to mimic actual electrochemical environments analogous to the actual aqueous batteries and analyze the complex electrochemical behaviors. The Zn-Mn alloy anodes achieved stability over thousands of cycles even under harsh electrochemical conditions, including testing in seawater-based aqueous electrolytes and using a high current density of 80 mA cm−2. The proposed design strategy and the in-situ visualization protocol for the observation of dendrite growth set up a new milestone in developing durable electrodes for aqueous batteries and beyond. 
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  5. Abstract Nanostructured materials have enabled new ways of controlling the light–matter interaction, opening new routes for exciting applications, in display technologies and colorimetric sensing, among others. In particular, metallic nanoparticles permit the production of color structures out of colorless materials. These plasmonic structural colors are sensitive to the environment and thus offer an interesting platform for sensing. Here, a self‐assembly of aluminum nanoparticles in close proximity of a mirror is spaced by an ultrathin poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) layer. Hybridizing the plasmonic system with the active polymer layer, a thermoresponsive gap‐plasmon architecture is formed that transduces changes in the temperature and relative humidity of the environment into color changes. By harnessing the environmentally induced structural changes of PNIPAM, it was estimated from the finite difference time domain simulation that the resonance can be tuned 7 nm per every 1 nm change in thickness, resulting in color variation. Importantly, these fully reversible changes can be used for reusable powerless humidity and temperature colorimetric sensing. Crucially if condensation on the structure happens, the polymer layer is deformed beyond recovery and the colors are washed away. We leverage this effect to produce tamper‐proof dew labels that a straightforward smartphone app can read by taking a picture. 
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