We demonstrated a hybrid nanogenerator (NG) exploiting both piezoelectric and triboelectric effects induced from ZnO nanoflakes (NFs)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite films through a facile, cost-effective fabrication method. This hybrid NG exhibited not only high piezoelectric output current owing to the enhanced surface piezoelectricity of the ZnO NFs but also high triboelectric output voltage owing to the pronounced triboelectrification of Au–PDMS contact, producing a peak-to-peak output voltage of ∼470 V, a current density of ∼60 μA·cm–2, and an average power density of ∼28.2 mW·cm–2. Without additional energy storage devices, the hybrid NGs with an area of 3 × 3 cm2 instantaneously lit up 180 commercial green light-emitting diodes through periodic hand compression. This approach may provide an innovative design for constructing high-performance and portable energy harvesting devices with enhanced power output, scavenging ambient mechanical energy from human motions in our daily life.

SummaryThis study investigated the effects of adding different concentrations of virgin coconut oil (VCO) on the optical, mechanical, thermodynamic and antimicrobial properties, as well as water vapour permeability and morphology of potato starch‐based biodegradable films. Increasing VCO concentrations caused a rise in the light transmittance of the films from 2.13 to 4.79 mm−1 and a decrease in water vapour transmittance from 6.77 to 2.12 (10−5 GPa−1 h−1 m−1). At a VCO concentration of 14 wt% (based on potato starch), the tensile strength reached its highest value (19.98 MPa). Scanning electron microscopy showed that the surface of the film became smoother as VCO concentration increased. The addition of VCO inhibited the growth of Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In conclusion, VCO supplementation improved the mechanical, antibacterial and water barrier properties of starch‐based films. These results could expand the scope of the application of starch‐based films in food packaging.

Summary The effects of xylanase–cellulase hydrolysis, ultrasonic modification and enzymatic‐ultrasonic treatment on the physicochemical properties, morphological structures and adsorption capacities in vitro of purified fibre (PF) from tea seed were determined. The results showed the ultrasonically treated fibre (UTF) had a higher water‐holding capacity (60.15 g g−1), oil‐binding capacity (30.42 g g−1), swelling capacity (29.93 mL g−1), emulsification activity (381.36 m2 g−1) and emulsification stability (20.20) than PF, enzymatically hydrolysed fibre (EHF) and enzymatic‐ultrasonic treated fibre (EUF). The structures of PF, UTF, EHF and EUF were characterised by scanning electron microscope, Laser particle size analyzer, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectra. Furthermore, compared with PF, the adsorption capacity of UTF, EHF and EUF for cholesterol, glucose and nitrite ions during simulative gastrointestinal tract was improved to different degrees. This study can provide guidance for the comprehensive utilisation of byproduct of tea seed and designing novel functional dietary fibre.

Interfacial microenvironment modulation has been proven to be a promising route to fabricate highly efficient catalysts. In this work, the lattice defect‐rich NiS2/MoS2 nanoflakes (NMS NFs) electrocatalysts are successfully synthesized by a simple strategy. Benefiting from the abundant lattice defects and modulated interfacial microenvironment between NiS2 and MoS2, the prepared NMS NFs show superior catalytic activity for water splitting. Particularly, the optimized NMS NFs (the molar ratio of Ni:Mo = 5:5) exhibit remarkable catalytic activity toward overall water splitting with a voltage of 1.60 V at 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline media, which is lower than that of the noble‐metal‐based electrocatalysts (1.68 V at 10 mA cm−2). The NMS NFs electrocatalysts also show exceptional long‐term stability (>50 h) for overall water splitting. The density functional theory results demonstrate that the injection of NiS2 into MoS2 can greatly optimize the catalytic kinetics and reduce the energy barrier for hydrogen/oxygen evolution reactions. The work does not only offer a promising candidate for a highly efficient water splitting electrocatalyst but also highlights that interfacial microenvironment modulation is a potential strategy to optimize the catalytic kinetics.

The ethanol electrooxidation behaviors on Rh/C in alkaline media were studied compared with that on Pd/C.