Abstract Electrocatalytic CO 2 methanation is a promising strategy for renewable energy storage but remains limited by low selectivity and insufficient stability under industrially relevant conditions. Here, a confined Cu atom‐cluster catalyst anchored on a nitrogen‐rich carbon framework (Cu AC/NC) is reported, synthesized via a scalable supramolecular precursor strategy that precisely controls Cu aggregation at the atomic‐cluster scale. In a flow‐cell configuration, Cu AC/NC achieves a CH 4 Faradaic efficiency of ~70% with a partial current density of 316.1 mA cm −2 . In situ spectroscopic analyses reveal that cluster confinement tailors the local reaction microenvironment, facilitating *CO protonation and deep hydrogenation of CO 2 . Deactivation mechanisms in alkaline and acidic electrolytes, as well as under pulsed electrolysis, are systematically examined. By balancing activity and stability, a pure‐H 2 O‐fed system is identified, enabling stable, carbonate‐free operation in scalable membrane electrode assemblies while sustaining methane production at engineering‐relevant current density.

Despite the narrow bandgap of Bi2O2S enabling visible-light excitation, its photocatalytic activity was limited by inefficient migration of photogenerated charges and a tendency for agglomeration, resulting in insufficient active sites. Moreover, adsorption was a critical step in the photocatalytic process and significantly influenced the degradation rate. In this study, a Bi2O2S/Bi-MOF composite photocatalyst was synthesized via an in-situ growth approach. High surface area of Bi-MOFs provided abundant sites for Bi2O2S loading, ensuring uniform dispersion and anti-aggregation of active components. Adsorption experiments revealed that the process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics, indicating the dominance of chemical adsorption. Isothermal adsorption data were well described by the Freundlich model, suggesting multilayer adsorption on a heterogeneous surface. These results demonstrate that pre-adsorption of pollutants enhances the photocatalytic reaction rate. Trapping experiments and ESR analysis indicated that the relative contributions of active species to degradation followed the order was O-2(.-) > h(+) > OH. Based on band structure analysis, the heterojunction was identified as type I. The internal built-in electric field facilitated electron transfer, thereby improving photocatalytic performance. Furthermore, strong interfacial interactions contributed to the stability of the photocatalytic activity.

Antibiotic pollution in aquatic environments poses critical ecological and health risks worldwide. In this study, a novel Fe3S4/PDA/HA (FPA) composite was designed as a heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalyst for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation to degrade tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH). The FPA catalyst was synthesized through a solvothermal route combined with polydopamine (PDA) coating and humic acid (HA) functionalization. Characterizations revealed that PDA and HA modification effectively suppressed nanoparticle agglomeration, reduced iron leaching, broadened the visible-light response, and accelerated Fe2 +/Fe3+ redox cycling. Under visible-light irradiation, the FPA/PMS system attained 86.8% TCH removal and 45.6% total organic carbon mineralization within 60 min, with a pseudo-first-order rate constant (0.06658 min−1) 2.72-fold higher than that of pure Fe3S4. The catalyst maintained excellent catalytic activity over a wide pH range (2–10) and showed strong resistance to common coexisting anions. After five cycles, TCH degradation efficiency remained above 87%, confirming excellent reusability. Quenching tests and electron paramagnetic resonance demonstrated that •OH, •O2⁻, SO4•⁻, and 1O2 were generated, with 1O2 acting as the predominant reactive oxygen species. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry revealed three TCH degradation pathways, and ECOSAR toxicity analysis verified that most intermediates exhibited lower toxicity than the parent compound. This work provides a promising and stable photo-Fenton catalyst for efficient degradation of antibiotic pollutants and offers new insights into advanced oxidation processes for wastewater remediation.

The highly efficient photocatalyst could be designed via the construction of homotypic semiconductor heterojunction. In this work, we successfully synthesized novel homotypic (p-p) heterojunctions by combining CuInS2 quantum dots (CIS QDs) with hydrangea-like BiOI through a hydrothermal method for achieving efficient photocatalytic renovation of 2, 4-dichlorophenol (2, 4-DCP). The photoelectrochemical, morphology, optical and photocatalytic properties of as-synthesized samples were studied. The homoheterojunctions demonstrated effective isolation of electrons and holes while maintaining the overall quantity of photo-generated carriers, leading to a notable improvement in photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic mechanism was proved by DRS, photocurrent, PL, ESR. This work might provide an ideal strategy for constructing p-p homoheterojunctions for efficient photocatalytic degradation.

This study investigates the efficacy of magnetic Fe3Se4 as a catalyst in the photo-Fenton oxidation process for degrading tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH), a widely used antibiotic posing significant environmental risks due to its persistence in aquatic systems. Fe3Se4 was synthesized via a one-pot hot-melt method and characterized using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalyst demonstrated exceptional performance under visible light irradiation, achieving a 92.5% removal rate of TCH (30 mg L−1) within 90 min under optimal conditions (pH = 3.2, H2O2 = 10 mM, catalyst dosage = 0.2 g L−1, 25 °C). The degradation kinetics followed pseudo-first-order behavior, with a mineralization rate of 34.1%. Mechanistic studies revealed that hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and superoxide radicals (•O2−) played pivotal roles in the degradation process, facilitated by the synergistic interplay between Fe and Se species. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that the (310) crystal plane of Fe3Se4 exhibited strong adsorption energy for H2O2, promoting O-O bond cleavage and •OH generation. High performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis identified intermediate products and proposed three degradation pathways, and ECOSAR modeling indicated reduced ecotoxicity of most intermediates. Additionally, Fe3Se4 exhibited broad applicability, effectively degrading other organic pollutants such as methylene blue and rhodamine B. These findings highlight Fe3Se4 as a promising, environmentally benign catalyst for advanced oxidation processes, offering a sustainable solution for antibiotic-contaminated wastewater treatment.

A surface-engineering strategy using organic-assisted pyrolysis was employed to precisely tailor the surface terminations of ZnO nanoparticles, dramatically enhancing their reactivity toward Congo red adsorption. ZnO nanoparticles yielded by direct pyrolysis of zinc salts had positively charged, oxygen-enriched surfaces, which facilitated efficient interfacial charge transfer yet exhibited only limited dye adsorption capacity. In contrast, organic assistance engineered ZnO nanoparticle surfaces, greatly changing their surface reactivities. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose promoted the production of ZnO nanoparticles with a negatively charged, zinc-deficient and oxygen-enriched surface, resulting in their poor charge transfer and high diffusion resistance, which hindered their dye adsorption. Conversely, soluble starch generated a zinc-enriched terminated surface. Despite its negative charges, this surface facilitated interfacial charge transfer. Crucially, Zn2+ ions on the zinc-enriched surface exhibited distinct chemical states with superior coordination ability. The zinc-enriched surface exhibited a superior adsorption performance for Congo red compared to the two oxygen-enriched surfaces, with a maximum adsorption capacity for Congo red reaching 376.5 mg/g. Its adsorption process conformed to the Langmuir model and was spontaneous and exothermic. The distinctly enhanced adsorption performance stemmed from direct coordination between surface Zn2+ ions and sulfonic and nitrogen-containing groups in the Congo red dye. In comparison, the positively charged oxygen-enriched surface relied on electrostatic adsorption, whereas the zinc-deficient and oxygen-enriched surface suffered from electrostatic repulsion, greatly reducing the adsorption efficiency. The surface engineering strategy for metal oxides, by enhancing specific metal ion coordination, provides a powerful approach to significantly boost the removal capacity of hazardous contaminants.

Constructing heterojunctions to form built-in electric fields was an effective strategy for improving photocatalytic performance. This study successfully constructed a Bi2O2S/Bi4Ti3O12 (BOS/BIT) heterojunction via an in-situ growth method based on a lattice matching mechanism. The shared [Bi2O2]2+ layers between BOS and BIT enabled an interfacial connection, facilitating efficient charge separation and transfer. The composite heterojunction exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance for CO2 to CO and effective degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP). Notably, after depositing optimal BOS/BIT on a foam ceramic substrate (BOS/ BIT/FC), the CO yield increased 60%, thereby overcoming the limitations associated with traditional powder catalysts. Mechanism studies revealed that the built-in electric field formed at the well-matched interface effectively suppressed charge recombination, while in-situ FTIR and trapping experiments identified key intermediates and active species during the photocatalytic processes. This work provided a novel strategy for designing lattice-matched heterojunctions for dual-functional environmental remediation and energy conversion.

A molecularly imprinted photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensors platform with wavelength modulation photocurrent polarity switching mechanism was designed for the accurate detection of tetracycline (TC) in livestock wastewater. Innovative F-TiO2/CDs/PCN-224 ternary composites were synthesized using 3D flower-like TiO2 (FTiO2) as the carrier, with carbon dots (CDs) and metal-organic framework material (PCN-224) loaded on it. In addition, dual-signal co-amplification and simultaneous enhancement of stability were achieved by introducing reversible I-/I3- redox pair. The developed sensor exhibited a good linear range and detection limit under optimal conditions, with the anodic detection range of 5.00 x 10-11 - 1.00 x 10-6 mol/L with a detection limit of 1.26 x 10-11 mol/L, and the cathodic signal detection range of 1.00 x 10-12 - 5.00 x 10- 8 mol/L with a detection limit of 6.02 x 10-13 mol/L. Meanwhile, it demonstrated excellent TC detection performance in real wastewater.

To address the issue of glaze crystallization resulting from the intermediate-temperature decomposition of aluminum titanate-based pigments, a Ni-Mg co-doped Al2TiO5-based pigment was synthesized via a non-hydrolytic sol-gel method. containing 15 mol% Mg and 7.5 mol% Ni with an Al to Ti molar ratio of 1.775. Comprehensive characterization by XRD, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis, and colorimetry confirmed that the NHSG process achieved molecular-level homogenization of the dopants. XPS and FT-IR verified Ni2+/Mg2+ incorporation and Al-O-Mg/Ni bond formation. The optimal pigment produced a homogeneous, vibrant green color (L* = 79.3, a* = -9.4, b* = 22.33) in a transparent glaze fired at 1200 degrees C. The key finding is the dual role of Mg2+: it enhances the phase stability of Al2TiO5 and effectively suppresses glaze crystallization by inhibiting pigment decomposition. This work demonstrates that Ni-Mg co-doping is a highly effective strategy for developing highperformance, crystallization-resistant green pigments suitable for high-temperature ceramic decoration.

Electrocatalytic CO2 methanation is a promising strategy for renewable energy storage but remains limited by low selectivity and insufficient stability under industrially relevant conditions. Here, a confined Cu atom-cluster catalyst anchored on a nitrogen-rich carbon framework (Cu AC/NC) is reported, synthesized via a scalable supramolecular precursor strategy that precisely controls Cu aggregation at the atomic-cluster scale. In a flow-cell configuration, Cu AC/NC achieves a CH4 Faradaic efficiency of similar to 70% with a partial current density of 316.1 mA cm(-2). In situ spectroscopic analyses reveal that cluster confinement tailors the local reaction microenvironment, facilitating *CO protonation and deep hydrogenation of CO2. Deactivation mechanisms in alkaline and acidic electrolytes, as well as under pulsed electrolysis, are systematically examined. By balancing activity and stability, a pure-H2O-fed system is identified, enabling stable, carbonate-free operation in scalable membrane electrode assemblies while sustaining methane production at engineering-relevant current density.

The construction of heterojunction photocatalysts featuring broad spectral response and efficient charge separation was crucial for the decomposition of organic pollutants. In this work, CuInS2 quantum dot (CIS QDs)modified TiO2 nanorods (CISQ/TiO2) composite photocatalysts with varying compositions were fabricated via a facile solvothermal process. Their visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity was subsequently evaluated using the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) as a model reaction. The results indicated that when the CIS QDs loading was 10 wt%, the photocatalytic activity was significantly enhanced. A series of characterizations revealed that the improved activity arose from the synergistic effects of the narrow-band-gap CIS QDs, which broadened the light absorption spectrum of TiO2 and thereby increased light utilization. Furthermore, the proposed Z-scheme-like charge transfer accelerated the migration of photogenerated charge carriers while preserving the high redox potential of the system. This work demonstrated a facile strategy for constructing highperformance TiO2-based composite photocatalysts, with significant implications for environmental remediation.

Heavy metal pollution in water poses severe threats to ecosystems and human health, demanding urgent development of efficient and sustainable adsorbents. Herein, we report a novel amino-functionalized phenolic resin (APF) synthesized via a facile self-assembly strategy using 3-aminophenol and formaldehyde. This approach eliminates the need for toxic crosslinkers or complex post-modification steps, offering a green and scalable route for nanoscale polymer fabrication. The APF particles were engineered with controlled amino group density and hierarchical porosity through optimizing monomer ratios, achieving abundant active sites for multi-metal interactions. The APF adsorbent exhibits exceptional adsorption capacities for both cationic and anionic heavy metals, notably achieving 297.75 mg center dot g-1 for Cd2+ - surpassing conventional clay composites and rivaling advanced MOFs. Its multifunctional groups (-NH2, -OH) enable synergistic mechanisms: (1) electrostatic attraction for Cr6+ oxyanions at low pH, (2) chelation-dominated Cd2+ capture via amino coordination, and (3) ion exchange for Pb2+/As3+. This work advances the design of cost-effective, multi-mechanistic adsorbents for comprehensive heavy metal remediation.

Hg0 pollutants in the flue gas of coal-fired power plants pose a significant threat to the environment. Exploring the efficient removal of Hg0 using environmentally friendly photocatalytic technology is of great importance. Bi-based photocatalysts have become a research hotspot in the field of photocatalysis due to their tunable bandgap and excellent catalytic performance. The 2D/2D Bi2O2CO3/Bi2MoO6 Z-scheme heterojunction composite photocatalyst was constructed via in situ epitaxial growth of Bi2MoO6 nanosheets on Bi2O2CO3 through their highly similar [Bi2O2]2+ layered structures, achieving exceptional photocatalytic Hg0 oxidation efficiency in flue gas (with an efficiency of up to 92.21 %). The 2D/2D configuration provides an extensive contact area, making it an ideal optoelectronic platform for exploring heterojunction designs. The structure of the composite photocatalyst was characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, and AFM, confirming the successful construction of the 2D/2D heterojunction. The optimal sample, BOC-BMO-2, exhibited excellent photoelectrochemical performance and photocatalytic stability, attributed to the strong bonding between the [Bi2O2]2+ layers of Bi2O2CO3 and the [MoO4]2− layers of Bi2MoO6. Combined XPS, ESR, and DFT analyses elucidated the Z-scheme heterojunction's regulatory role in charge carrier dynamics, where the synergistic interplay between the intrinsic internal electric field (IEF) and engineered oxygen vacancies (Ov) significantly enhanced charge separation and directional migration. Leveraging the exceptional charge separation efficiency of the 2D/2D Bi2O2CO3/Bi2MoO6 photocatalyst, this work successfully identified the reaction mechanism and detailed pathway for Hg0 oxidation. The findings provide a groundbreaking strategy for constructing stable and efficient Z-scheme heterojunctions, with far-reaching applications in air purification and global mercury management.

The increase in oxytetracycline (OTC) pollution has become a significant risk to ecological stability and human health because of excessive use. Therefore, developing a precise and reliable sensor for trace OTC detection is critical. In this work, a dual-mode sensor of colorimetric-fluorescent (CL-FL) with dual signal-on was developed for OTC detection. Firstly, a novel carbon dots encapsulating in cavities of MOFs composite (CDs@NH2-MIL-88B) was constructed by the ship-in-a-bottle approach, which enhanced peroxidase-like activity and fluorescent intensity. Further, combining with surface molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), the dual-mode sensor was constructed to develop selectivity (CDs@NH2-MIL-88B@rMIP). Finally, the dual signal enhancement mechanism of the sensor comes from the interaction between OTC and identifying binding site involving strong hydrogen bonding and metal complexation from imprinted cavity and CDs@NH2-MIL-88B, respectively. The prepared sensor has a linear detection range of 1.00 x 10-9 - 1.00 x 10-5 M with the limit of detection (LOD) of 1.47 x 10-10 M for the CL mode and a detection range of 1.00 x 10-11 -1.00 x 10- 7M with the LOD of 1.84 x 10-12 M for the FL mode. Meanwhile, the sensor shows high sensitivity, accuracy and reliability in OTC detection. Overall, this work provides a promising CL-FL dual-mode sensing systems with signal-on in the detection of antibiotics and other hazardous pollutants.

Sodium metal batteries (SMBs), which possess abundant sodium resources and high energy density, have attracted widespread attention. However, the continuous reaction between the electrolyte and the sodium metal anode, along with the formation of an unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), leads to rapid capacity decay and the safety hazard of potential ignition. In this work, designing a low-cost and flame-retardant electrolyte with solvent-solvent interactions is achieved by introducing sodium-difluoro(oxalato)borate (NaDFOB) as a single salt into the ester-based electrolyte on the basis of trimethyl phosphate. Theoretical research combined with experimental study disclose through the solvent-solvent interactions, an ion-aggregate-rich solvation structure is formed at low concentrations, leading to the formation of a gradient SEI enriched with inorganic compounds such as B and F on the anode. This effectively suppresses interfacial reactions and sodium dendrite growth, significantly improving the cycling stability along with the optimizing the safety of SMBs. The Na||Na3V2(PO4)3 battery using this electrolyte maintains a high-capacity retention of 93% after 5000 cycles (320 days) at 1C. This approach provides a reliable solution for the application of flame-retardant electrolytes in SMBs, which also sheds light on the designing principle of advanced battery systems.

Polarity switching photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing effectively addresses the issue of false positive or negative results that arise from single signal on or off in PEC systems. In this study, a novel core-shell ternary composite material of S-TiO2/CDs/PCN-224 was constructed by growing PCN-224 on the surface of spherical titanium dioxide (S-TiO2) while simultaneously confining carbon quantum dots (CDs). This ternary composite can produce cathodic and anodic PEC signals under visible (420-800 nm) and ultraviolet (UV)-Vis (320-800 nm) excitation, respectively. Leveraging this characteristic, we constructed a polarity switching PEC sensing system by integrating a tetracycline (TC) molecular imprinting polymer (MIP), enabling dual signals for self-calibration of TC detection results. Notably, the suppression of the cathodic signal due to steric hindrance mitigates interference, while the anodic signal resulting from the advanced oxidation of TC facilitates signal amplification and self-cleaning of the electrode interface, enhancing the reusability of the molecularly imprinted polymer photoelectrochemical (MIP-PEC) sensor. Ultimately, the developed MIP-PEC sensor demonstrates a cathodic mode detection range of 5.00 × 10-13-1.00 × 10-8 mol/L with a limit of detection (LOD) of 3.07 × 10-13 mol/L, and an anodic mode detection range of 5.00 × 10-12-5.00 × 10-6 mol/L, with an LOD of 3.14 × 10-12 mol/L under optimal conditions. Furthermore, it exhibits excellent dual-signal stability, reproducibility, and reusability. This study presents a sustainable and efficient PEC sensing platform capable of achieving polarity switching self-calibration, self-cleaning, and high analytical performance for detecting environmental organic pollutants.

The sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation process (SR-AOP) has garnered significant attention for its high efficiency in degrading refractory organic pollutants in wastewater. Sulfate radicals (SO4•−) were typically generated through the activation of persulfate (PS, including PDS and PMS) via thermal, radiative, or catalytic methods. Cuprous oxide (Cu₂O), as a catalyst for persulfate activation, was particularly attractive due to its cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness and natural abundance. However, the practical application of pristine Cu₂O was hampered by issues such as particle aggregation, susceptibility to oxidation, poor stability and limited catalytic activity. To address these limitations, carbon quantum dots/Cu₂O (CDs/Cu₂O) nanocomposites was constructed to activate peroxydisulfate (PDS) for the degradation of tetracycline (TC). The enhanced catalytic performance was attributed to the formation of an interfacial heterojunction, which facilitated efficient charge separation. Simultaneously, the incorporated CDs serve as an electron reservoir, further suppressing the recombination of charge carriers. Consequently, the CDs/Cu₂O/PDS system exhibited superior activity, achieving a 98.7

Fluorescence technology enabled highly sensitive, real-time and multi-scenario detection of lysozyme (Lys). However, fluorescent nanomaterials suffer from aggregation-induced quenching, environmental interference and lack of selective recognition capability. In this work, the ZIF-8 was used as a framework to support red and blue fluorescence quantum dots for constructing ratiometric fluorescence sensor. At the same time, combined with molecular imprinting technology, a Molecular Imprinting Polymers (MIPs)-based ratiometric fluorescence sensor was designed for improving the sensitive and selective. The MIPs-based ratiometric fluorescence sensor exhibited highly sensitively and selectively for the detection of lysozyme. Benefited from ratiometric design, the sensor could realize the effect of visual detection of Lys and the limit of detection (LOD) was reached 0.048 mg/L. The HPLC method was used to further confirm the sensor has the potential for practical application. Furthermore, to the demand of an affordable and portable strategy for visual detection Lys, a dexterous and inexpensive test paper was made in this work.