Minsu Gu

Conventional water splitting requires high overpotentials, whereas electrochemical reforming offers a sustainable route to produce hydrogen while oxidizing alcohols. In this work, we report the rational design of structurally ordered multilayer thin-film electrodes via electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly, employing palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) as active electrocatalytic sites for both methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and MXene as a multifunctional conductive support. The sequential assembly of negatively charged MXene nanosheets and positively charged Pd NPs produced well-defined (MXene/Pd) multilayers, which delivered a high MOR current density of 9.38 mA cm ^− 2 . This performance significantly surpasses that of other Pd-based multilayer electrodes, primarily due to the role of MXene in preventing NPs agglomeration, providing superior electrical conductivity, and, in the case of HER, contributing its own intrinsic hydrogen adsorption-desorption activity, which synergistically enhances the overall catalytic performance together with Pd. Furthermore, in two-electrode full-cell configurations, peak voltages of 0.9 V with a Pt cathode and 0.65 V with a (MXene/Pd) cathode were achieved, both below the theoretical water-splitting voltage of 1.23 V. The cooperative integration of Pd and MXene thus maximizes both methanol oxidation and hydrogen evolution, presenting a viable alternative to Pt-based catalysts. This study highlights the potential of LbL-engineered hybrid electrodes as a scalable and high-performance platform for electrochemical reforming and clean energy applications.

The development of a protective layer that not only blocks parasitic reactions but also actively regulates Zn ²⁺ transport and nucleation behavior is critical for the advancement of aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs). In this study, we propose a novel interfacial engineering strategy based on a zincophilic porous carbon (ZPC) coating, which provided selective Zn ²⁺ adsorption and directional Zn ²⁺ flux regulation. The ZPC layer composed of poly (acrylic acid) (PAA)‐grafted carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (CLP) and activated carbon (AC) synergistically integrates zincophilic functional groups and a porous structure. This design enables rapid Zn ²⁺ desolvation and effectively suppresses dendrite formation. The selective Zn ²⁺ affinity of the ZPC layer minimizes hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and corrosion, while promoting preferential Zn deposition along the (002) crystallographic plane. As a result, ZPC@Zn exhibits an extended lifespan exceeding 3600 h at 4 mA cm ⁻² and stable Zn plating/stripping at a high depth of discharge (DOD, 43%). Full cells paired with an iodine cathode demonstrate excellent rate capability and outstanding cycle stability, maintaining approximately 90% capacity retention over 5000 cycles at 10 C. This work establishes a new paradigm in interfacial layer design and paves the way for dendrite‐free, high‐performance AZIBs.

Hypoxia contributes to a wide range of pathological conditions, including muscle atrophy and ischemic diseases, yet effective therapeutic strategies remain limited. In this study, we developed an epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)-catalase complex (EC) that simultaneously provides oxygenation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) clearance through multienzyme mimicry. EC exhibits superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity by converting superoxide anion (O₂^•-) into hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), followed by catalase-mediated decomposition of H₂O₂ into oxygen (O₂) and water (H₂O), thereby transforming harmful ROS into beneficial O₂. In addition, EC employs peroxidase (POD)- and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-like pathways to further eliminate residual H₂O₂, establishing a cascade antioxidative defense system. At the cellular level, EC modulated hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) expression, promoted angiogenesis, and enhanced myogenic differentiation. In vivo, EC improved muscle regeneration and functional recovery in a dexamethasone-induced atrophy model, while promoting angiogenesis and suppressing fibrosis in a diabetic hindlimb ischemia model. Collectively, these findings highlight EC as an integrated therapeutic platform that combines O₂ supply with ROS regulation via multienzyme mimicry, offering promising potential for the treatment of hypoxia-associated diseases.

Herein, we report a carbon dots–polydopamine (CD/PDA) heterojunction system that exhibits outstanding photocatalytic performance by leveraging the surface functional duality of the organic components.

The transformation of promising two-dimensional (2D) materials into three-dimensional (3D) architectures is crucial for unlocking their full potential in advanced applications, as it enables enhanced structural integrity, tunable porosity, and improved functionality. However, a significant challenge in this process is preventing the undesired restacking of 2D nanosheets, which can severely limit their accessible surface area, hinder mass transport, and degrade their unique physicochemical properties. In this study, we investigate the electrochemically controlled formation of size-tunable 3D multiwalled graphene oxide (GO) mesotubes under shear flow conditions. Using a home-built electrochemical rheology setup, we systematically analyze the effects of applied potential on mesotube diameter, length, and band gap. Our findings reveal that increasing the positive potential enhances Al³⁺ ion dissolution, facilitating GO migration and leading to the formation of longer mesotubes, whereas negative potential suppresses mesotube growth by limiting Al³⁺ availability. Elemental and electrochemical analyses confirm the critical role of Al³⁺ ions as a structural binding bridge in the self-assembly process, directly influencing both mesotube morphology and electrochemical characteristics. This study provides valuable insights into the electrochemical regulation of GO mesotube formation, offering a viable strategy for tailoring mesotube dimensions and properties. The ability to precisely control mesotube growth expands their potential applications in energy storage, biosensing, and soft robotics, paving the way for novel electrochemically guided self-assembly techniques in graphene-based 3D materials.

Duplex stainless steel (DSS) has garnered significant attention as a potential material for dry storage canisters used in nuclear power plants due to its excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. However, localized corrosion, such as pitting and galvanic corrosion, remains a critical challenge in ensuring the long‐term structural integrity of DSS in these applications. Of particular concern is chloride‐induced stress corrosion cracking (CISCC), which poses a significant threat to the safe and reliable storage of spent nuclear fuel in dry storage canisters. In this study, scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was employed to investigate the pitting corrosion behavior of DSS. Selective etching of DSS phases allowed for the exposure of individual phases to the electrolyte, facilitating the analysis of galvanic interactions between constituent phases. The results provide insights into the fundamental electrochemical properties of DSS and its corrosion mechanisms, with a focus on the roles of phase composition and distribution. Additionally, this research highlights the applicability of SECM in real‐time corrosion analysis and its potential for advancing the understanding of corrosion processes in metals and alloys. These findings contribute to the development of more robust DSS‐based dry storage systems by addressing the mitigation of CISCC, thereby enhancing the safety and durability of nuclear fuel storage solutions.