This study aims to establish a simple and efficient method for preparing topological defect carbon (TDC) and reveal its catalytic mechanism for the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). TDC is prepared using N‐doped carbon as a precursor through multiple Joule thermal shock treatments, and the efficiency of this method in constructing topological defects in the carbon matrix is confirmed by multi‐dimensional characterization. Subsequently, the TDC catalyzed the growth of CNTs, and a possible catalytic growth mechanism based on the synergistic interaction of multiple defects is proposed. The mechanism proposes that the carbon source molecules are activated through electron transfer from pentagonal topological defects and the slight assistance of other defects, and then the activated molecules form a metastable carbon layer by self‐assembling, combined with dehydrogenation rearrangement according to the defect curvature, which further self‐assembles to achieve the growth of CNTs based on the edge activity of the carbon layer. Therefore, this study not only brings new perspectives to clarify the growth mechanism of specialty carbon‐catalyzed CNTs, but also provides an efficient research and development platform for this type of specialty carbon catalysts.
The discovery of flat bands in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene established moiré engineering as a powerful route to correlated electronic states, but such flat bands typically require extremely small twist angles and remain fragile due to weak van der Waals coupling. Here, we demonstrate an alternative mechanism for flat-band formation based on interlayer sp3 hybridization in twisted graphite, which stabilizes large-angle moiré superstructures through covalent bonding. Using twisted graphite as a prototype, we identify a family of three-dimensional diamond-like carbon phases with moiré features (moiré diamonds) hosting two-dimensional flat bands: the electronic bands are nearly dispersionless in the in-plane directions while remaining dispersive along kz. These flat bands emerge at relatively large twist angles with short moiré periods and show strong robustness against thermal fluctuations and structural perturbations. Our results establish covalently bonded moiré diamonds as a new platform for flat-band physics beyond the van der Waals regime.
Photobatteries promise a revolutionary approach to both harvesting and storing solar energy; however, their development has been limited by rapid carrier recombination and the absence of interfaces to direct charge flow effectively. Here, we construct an in-plane 1T/2H-MoS2 heterostructure chemically connected onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that integrate metallic 1T-MoS2, semiconducting 2H-MoS2, and conductive CNTs into a multi-interface framework. This architecture generates a built-in electric field across the 1T/2H-MoS2 junction and provides continuous directional pathways for rapid electron extraction and transfer. Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy identifies long-lived charge-separated states with a prolonged carrier lifetime (τ2 ≈ 731 ps) in the 1T/2H-MoS2 heterostructure, more than double that of 2H-MoS2@CNTs. Meanwhile, Kelvin probe force microscopy reveals a pronounced light-induced potential gradient (∼75 mV), providing direct nanoscale evidence of efficient carrier extraction. These synergistic effects promote efficient charge separation and transport, enabling superior photoassisted lithium-ion storage. The 1T/2H-MoS2@CNTs-based lithium-ion photobattery demonstrates an increased storage capacity from 493.7 to 624.9 mAh g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 under illumination and a maximum photoconversion and storage efficiency of 6.62%, achieving an external voltage-free self-charging process. This study underscores rational multi-interface engineering to effectively integrate light harvesting and electrochemical storage for self-charging energy systems.
Scientific Reports, Published online: 01 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s41598-026-40625-0
Vibrational contribution to the sub-terahertz dielectric response of kinesin and its hydration shellAdvanced Functional Materials, EarlyView.