Zoltán Kónya

The truffle genus Genea plays an important role as an ectomycorrhizal fungus, yet its taxonomy, evolutionary relationships, and ecological behaviour remain poorly understood globally. This study describes Genea budensis sp. nov. and reports G. arenaria and G. zamorana for the first time from Hungary, based on morphological examination and phylogenetic analyses of ITS and LSU sequences. The new species Genea budensis sp. nov., found in the Buda Mountains in Hungary, is characterized by a warty, scale-covered surface peridium; spores ornamented with dense, cone-shaped projections, with some of them being blunt-tipped or bud-like in form. This discovery also marks the first documented occurrence of both Genea zamorana and G. arenaria within Hungary. These findings expand the documented diversity and geographic distribution of Genea in Hungary and provide additional morphological and molecular data for future taxonomic studies of the genus.

Silver (0–5 wt%) was reduced on the surface of barium titanates (BaTiO₃) to investigate its effect on the properties and photocatalytic activity of the support. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence, transmission electron microscopy, photocurrent density, and linear sweep voltammetry. Their photocatalytic activity was evaluated by phenol degradation under UV light irradiation. A commercial BaTiO₃ without silver was used as a reference. Nominal silver amounts were consistent with the measured ones in the samples containing 0–3 wt% silver; however, at high nominal amounts (4–5 wt%), the measured silver content decreased significantly (~1.3 wt%). Samples containing larger silver particles had higher photoactivity than samples containing smaller silver particles. The sample containing 5 wt% silver performed the best, reaching a phenol degradation rate of 2.10 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, over an order of magnitude higher than that of the non-silver-containing reference sample (1.47 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹). The enhanced photoactivity was associated with the larger silver particles covering less of the BaTiO₃ surface, leaving more active sites available, and with the silver hindering charge recombination by trapping the electrons and thus increasing the efficiency of holes.

The slow kinetics of the oxygen evolution (OER) and reduction (ORR) reactions, combined with the high costs of noble metals, remain major barriers to a sustainable hydrogen economy. Earth-abundant brownmillerite-type oxides (A2B2O5) offer a promising alternative, yet their catalytic mechanism is frequently misunderstood. Because the highest activities emerge following electrochemical surface amorphization (OER) or order–disorder transitions (ORR), the pristine vacancy-ordered framework is rarely the static active phase. Herein, we reframe brownmillerites as highly specific, compositionally addressable precatalysts whose initial crystal chemistry acts as a structural template that governs the depth, composition, and stability of the operando-reconstructed active phase. Despite their potential, existing literature often treats them as perovskite subsets, neglecting the mechanistic impact of their vacancy-ordered structure and operando surface reconstruction. This review provides a unified framework linking brownmillerite defect chemistry to electrocatalytic performance. By evaluating synthesis, structural, and anionic modifications along with a comprehensive benchmarking table for this material class, we establish the mechanistic depth and structure–property correlations necessary for designing next-generation, noble-metal-free catalysts.

The transition toward carbon neutrality relies on efficient strategies for storing intermittent renewable energy in chemical bonds. Electrochemical energy conversion technologies, including green hydrogen production via water splitting, CO2 valorization, and high-efficiency fuel cells, are pivotal to this transition. Among various process intensification strategies, the integration of magnetic fields has emerged as a powerful approach to enhance reaction kinetics and improve energy efficiency. Magnetic fields modulate electrochemical systems through various phenomena, such as magnetohydrodynamic (MHD), Lorentz, and Kelvin forces, as well as spin-selectivity, Maxwell stress, and magnetothermal effects. These mechanisms collectively reduce overpotentials by optimizing mass transport, managing electron spin states, and facilitating gas bubble removal. However, despite these promising effects, the field suffers from a lack of standardized experimental protocols. This review provides a systematic evaluation of magnetic setups, ranging from permanent magnets and electromagnets to Helmholtz coils, with a focus on critical engineering parameters such as field homogeneity, orientation, and thermal management. Practical considerations, including scalability and energy consumption associated with magnetic field integration, are also discussed. Beyond surveying current literature, the work identifies the missing mechanistic links and knowledge gaps within the discipline, outlining vital future experimental directions to guide researchers in planning the next phase of scientific investigations. Ultimately, this comprehensive roadmap enables the rational design of predictable and scalable sustainable energy technologies.

Layered perovskite photoactive bismuth titanate (BT) ternary interface was achieved via a sequential hydrolysis pathway. . Comprehensive analysis of the pH modified BT photocatalyst before and after calcination, was conducted, followed by its application in the photodegradation of organic pollutant methyl orange (MO) dye and photocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO2) hydrogenation. The optimisation of the as fabricated catalysts was conducted at three different pH (3, 7, and 12) levels, followed by their calcination at 700°C. The samples before calcination, with their extraordinarily large surface area, achieved most of the adsorption of MO dye with varying concentration (20, 50, 100, 500 ppm). Furthermore, after calcination, samples demonstrated remarkable photocatalytic performance, indicating their enhanced catalytic efficacy after visible light irradiation. Due to exceptional results up to 500 ppm of MO dye, all analytes were evaluated for CO2 hydrogenation. The results indicated that calcined BT analytes exhibited substantial efficiency in CO2 photoreduction capability due to the presence of three distinct crystal structures of BT family (sillenite Bi12TiO20, perovskite Bi4Ti3O12, pyrochlore Bi2Ti2O7) with continuous electron transport among the interfaces, which possibly enhanced the process for the CO2 conversion and reduction.

The electrochemical behaviour of tadalafil (TAD) was investigated using a solid gold electrode and carbon paste electrodes (CPE) modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) or their nanocomposites with noble metal particles (Ag-MWCNT and Au-MWCNT). Cyclic voltammetric study revealed that the oxidation of TAD is irreversible and that adsorption plays a significant role in the oxidation mechanism. Among the investigated electrodes, the Au-MWCNT/CPE exhibited the best electroanalytical performance and was used to develop a sensitive and reliable square-wave adsorptive stripping voltammetric method for TAD determination in Britton-Robinson buffer solution as supporting electrolyte. The optimal pH was 4.0, with target analyte accumulation being most pronounced at Eacc = 0.6 V and tacc = 10 s. Linearity was obtained in the TAD concentration range of 0.10 to 1.96 µg mL-1, with calculated limit of detection of 0.03 µg mL-1. The constructed sensor showed excellent repeatability and reproducibility, as well as anti-interference ability, making it highly suitable for analytical applications, such as the quantification of TAD in the pharmaceutical formulation Cialis® and in human blood serum sample.

Metal-organic framework (MOF) nanozymes with multiple biocatalytic functions remain scarce, and their colloidal behavior, critical for applications in liquid media, has received limited attention. Here, we report fine aqueous dispersions of a bimetallic CuZr-MOF nanozyme composed of small particles exhibiting a triple enzyme-mimicking activity. Comprehensive microscopy, spectroscopy, and diffraction analyses revealed the structural features of the CuZr-MOF. The surface charges, hydrodynamic sizes, and aggregation rates were systematically investigated in monovalent electrolyte solutions, enabling the identification of well-defined colloidal stability regimes across a broad range of conditions. Pronounced ion specific effects were observed at the solid-liquid interface, and a combined DLVO-Hofmeister description successfully captured the origin of interparticle forces. The CuZr-MOF displayed superoxide dismutase (SOD), horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and, for the first time, protease-like activity, demonstrating a unique combination of antioxidant and hydrolytic functions within a single MOF nanoparticle. The integrated assessment of enzymatic and colloidal properties highlights the strong potential of multifunctional MOF nanozymes for advanced biocatalytic, sensing, and therapeutic applications in liquid-phase environments.

Polyaniline serves as a tuneable support for controlling the catalytic performance of platinum nanoparticles, enabling regulation of metal–support interactions and allowing activation of platinum in reactions where it is typically less active.