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A recent synthesis study found 54% of the high-latitude peatlands have been drying and 32% have been wetting over the past centuries, illustrating their complex ecohydrological dynamics and highly uncertain responses to a warming climate.

Manganese-based hydrogenation catalysts are sensitive to high temperatures and may degrade under industrially relevant conditions. Here, the authors report a highly efficient manganese pincer pre-catalyst displaying high TOF values (up to 41 000 h⁻¹) and stability (TON up to 200 000) at loadings as low as 5-200 ppm.

The mechanism underpinning the photovoltaic effect in hybrid perovskite solar cells has remained unclear. Here, Green and co-workers suggest that iodide ions in methylammonium lead iodide perovskite migrate via interstitial sites and undergo a redox reaction to form molecular iodine and free electrons.

The mechanism of the multiple-q charge density wave phase in the antiferromagnetic kagome metal FeGe is not fully understood. Here the authors reveal dimerization-driven hexagonal charge-diffuse precursor and identify the fraction of dimerized/undimerized states as the key order parameter of the phase transition.

A detailed and systematic neutron scattering study uncovers a spiral spin-liquid state in the quantum magnet MnSc₂S₄.

The mechanism of the charge density wave in kagome metals is under intense debate. Here, by using a combination of diffuse scattering and inelastic x-ray scattering, the authors show that the charge density wave transition in (Cs,Rb)V₃Sb₅ is of the order-disorder type.

The recently discovered charge density wave in ScV₆Sn₆ kagome metal is under intense debate. By using a combination of experimental and theoretical techniques, the authors point to the role of flat phonon mode softening and momentum-dependent electron-phonon coupling in the formation of the charge density wave.

Here authors investigate the effects of different metals incorporated in the structures and possible additional phases have on the CO₂ uptake of pyrene-based MOFs. Results show that when additional phases are present, the pore volume is reduced and CO₂ binding sites in the structure are different, leading to different adsorption properties.

Lattice anchoring, in its varied forms, has proven effective at regulating the energetics of metastable phases of polymorphic crystals. Here, the authors utilize top-down photolithography to embed a tessellating 3D interfacial network into otherwise-unstable CsPbI₃ perovskite thin films and devices, stabilizing the perovskite phase.

Functional behaviour can emerge in materials in which magnetic order is determined by the interplay of localised and itinerant magnetic interactions. Here the authors tune such magnetic order in a photovoltaic perovskite by tuning the electronic carrier concentration under visible light illumination.

Although antiferroelectric lead zirconate is a principal component in the most widely used piezoelectric ceramics, the nature of its antiferroelectricticity has been unclear. Here Tagantsevet al.reveal how this phenomenon arises from the softening of a single lattice mode.

Disorder localizes electrons, which is usually detrimental to the onset of superconductivity. Here, Petrović et al. report a disorder-enhanced superconducting instability in quasi-one dimensional Na_2-dMo₆Se₆and suggest that this effect may originate from an intrinsically screened Coulomb repulsion.

Phase transitions in materials are intriguing, and can also be of practical importance. Below ∼150 K, mixed-valent iron oxide Fe₄O₅ has now been shown to undergo an unusual charge-ordering phase transition that involves the competing formation of iron dimers and trimers, and leads to a significant increase in electrical resistivity.

For the methanol-to-hydrocarbons process, coke build can rapidly deactivate the zeolite catalyst. Here the authors show that the addition of liquid metal gallium can reduce coke deposition and increase catalyst lifetime.

Piezoelectric materials are used for a broad range of industrial and research applications. The authors use synchrotron X-ray scattering and digital imaging correlation to investigate the microscopic mechanisms behind electromechanical strains in a lead-free piezoceramic material, which suggests an unconventional domain switching mechanism and ability to enhance the temperature range of operation by suitable doping strategies.