Xiao-Jun Lv

Facet engineering has played a crucial role in influencing the fundamental properties of conventional semiconductor nanocrystals, including their surface structures and charge carrier dynamics. However, facet control in zero-dimensional colloidal CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) remains much less explored, primarily owing to the absence of precise synthetic methodologies. Typically, PNCs are predominantly enclosed by {100} facets under thermodynamic control. This work reports the synthesis of gradient-truncated CsPbBr3 PNCs with exposed non-{100} facets, in which the truncation degree can be precisely modulated by introducing sulfide ions (S2−) as regulators. The added S2− ions bind to surface Pb2+ sites in PNCs and suppress the closure of high-energy non-{100} facets during the synthesis, thereby regulating the exposure of these facets. These gradient-truncated products exhibit enhanced CO selectivity for photocatalytic CO2 reduction, with the selectivity showing a positive correlation with truncation degree. The photocatalytic selectivity is attributed to the disparity in adsorption energies of reduction products on {110} facets and the enrichment of photogenerated electrons driven by facet polarity.

Photocatalytic conversion of plastic-derived oxygenates and sustainable nitrogen sources into amino acids offers an attractive route for artificial photosynthesis and waste upcycling. However, selective C–N coupling is strongly constrained by the kinetic mismatch between rapid carbon oxidation and sluggish nitrogen reduction, which causes carbonyl intermediate accumulation and undesired side reactions. Herein, we demonstrate that this limitation can be addressed by kinetically matching lactate oxidation with nitrogen-source reduction over a Co-modified Cd-vacancy-rich CdS photocatalyst. Using CdS/NiAl-layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as a benchmark system, we first show that the excessive oxidation of plastic-derived lactate leads to pyruvate accumulation and limited alanine selectivity, whereas suppressing lactate overoxidation with formic acid markedly improves alanine formation. To develop a sacrificial-agent-free system, Co-dCdS was constructed by introducing Cd vacancies and highly dispersed Co sites. The Cd vacancies enhance charge separation and regulate carbon-oxidation kinetics, while Co sites promote nitrogen-source activation and interfacial electron transfer, thereby synchronizing the generation of pyruvate and reactive nitrogen intermediates for selective reductive amination. As a result, Co-dCdS enables alanine synthesis from lactate and N2 with a selectivity of 81.7% without any sacrificial reagent. The same kinetic-matching principle is further extended to nitrate reduction, where Co-dCdS maintains alanine selectivities above 67% over a broad lactate/nitrate concentration window and reaches 73.8% under optimized conditions. This work establishes kinetic compatibility between carbon oxidation and nitrogen reduction as a key design principle for photocatalytic amino acid synthesis from plastic-derived substrates and sustainable nitrogen sources.

Photocatalytic nitrate (NO₃^-) reduction in aqueous systems is an attractive strategy for water remediation; however, directing the reaction toward benign nitrogen gas (N₂) rather than ammonium (NH₄⁺) remains a major challenge. Herein, subnanometer Cu-Ag alloy nanoclusters (ANCs) were anchored on TiO₂ by stepwise photodeposition to achieve efficient and highly selective denitrification. Compared with their monometallic counterparts, the optimized Cu_0.2Ag_0.8/TiO₂ catalyst delivered 94.3% NO₃^- removal and 92.7% N₂ selectivity within 2 h. Combined spectroscopic characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal a pronounced alloy synergy in which Ag-rich sites stabilize NO₃^- adsorption, whereas Cu-rich sites promote interfacial electron transfer and activation of nitrogenous intermediates. Mechanistic investigations, including in situ EPR and ¹⁵N isotope labeling, further demonstrate a radical-mediated pathway in which formate oxidation generates ·CO₂^- radicals. These radicals accelerate the selective conversion of nitrite intermediates toward N₂, thereby suppressing over-reduction to ammonia. This study highlights alloy nanocluster engineering coupled with radical chemistry as an effective strategy for controlling product selectivity in aqueous photocatalytic nitrate reduction.

The MoS ₂ /FeOOH@CC photoelectrode delivers a specific capacity of 323.9 mA h g ⁻¹ under illumination (100 mW cm ⁻² ) at a current density of 100 mA g ⁻¹ .

Seawater electrolysis has emerged as a highly promising technology for sustainable hydrogen production, offering the dual advantages of utilizing abundant seawater resources and compatibility with offshore renewable energy systems. However, the practical implementation of this technology faces a critical challenge: the competing chlorine evolution reaction (CER) at the anode. This side reaction not only reduces the Faradaic efficiency for oxygen production but also induces severe catalyst corrosion through chloride‐induced degradation pathways, ultimately compromising the durability and economic viability of electrolysis systems. To address these challenges, this review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in CER suppression strategies, systematically categorizing them into three interconnected approaches: enhancing catalyst selectivity through the construction of chloride‐blocking layers and other selective adsorption strategies; improving intrinsic oxygen evolution reaction activity via electronic structure modulation, interface engineering, and other activation methods; and reinforcing catalyst stability using corrosion‐resistant materials and related protective approaches. Furthermore, we examine electrolyte optimization and innovative electrolyzer designs that contribute to system‐level CER mitigation. By synthesizing these developments, this review aims to establish fundamental principles and practical guidelines for designing highly efficient and durable seawater electrolysis systems, thereby accelerating the industrial implementation of this sustainable hydrogen production technology.

As the rate-determining step, the activation of alcohol significantly influences the product yield in photocatalytic C-N coupling reactions. Generally, the bare semiconductor-based photocatalysts exhibit poor selectivity of secondary amine during photocatalytic N-alkylation of amine with alcohol due to the excessive oxidation of alcohol to the corresponding aldehyde by photogenerated holes and subsequent easier imine formation without noble metal cocatalysts as hydrogen transfer centers. Herein, we reported a simple and efficient strategy via in situ coordination of an alcohol substrate with the inexpensive and readily available cerium(III) trichloride (CeCl₃) to form Ce(OR)_nCl_m complexes for photocatalytic selective N-alkylation of aniline with benzyl alcohol over the CdS photocatalyst. Remarkably, 100% aniline conversion and 88.5% selectivity with a formation yield of 9.56 mmol·g^-1·h^-1 toward the secondary amine N-benzylaniline were achieved in 5 h. The mechanistic studies reveal that the generated cerium complexes (Ce(OR)_nCl_m) act as donors of transient benzaldehyde radicals (RCHO^•) via a Ce^IV/Ce^III redox cycle and a ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) process for subsequent radicals' addition to N-benzylaniline. In addition, the designed catalytic system demonstrates superior stability and substrate tolerance in the photocatalytic N-alkylation of diverse alcohols and amines.

Rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (RAZIBs) have emerged as leading candidates for next‐generation large‐scale energy storage systems, owing to their environmental sustainability, cost‐effectiveness, and operational safety. Nevertheless, in conventional aqueous electrolytes (AEs), the rampant dendrite growth, parasitic hydrogen evolution reactions (HER), and progressive cathode dissolution in RAZIBs fundamentally constrain their practical application. Addressing these limitations through electrolyte engineering has thus become a pivotal research frontier for developing practical RAZIBs. In this context, aqueous eutectic electrolytes (AEEs) have garnered significant attention, synergistically integrating the merits of aqueous systems (e.g., high ion‐conductivity) with eutectic characteristics (e.g., depressed freezing points). Despite rapid progress in AEE design, a systematic analysis of their multifunctional roles in stabilizing electrodes and enhancing low‐temperature performance remains absent. This review comprehensively consolidates recent breakthroughs in AEE development, with emphasis on three synergistic mechanisms: Modulation of Zn²⁺ solvation structures; Construction of robust solid electrolyte interphase (SEI); Cryoprotectant‐inspired anti‐freezing strategies. Furthermore, persistent challenges such as limited voltage stability and interfacial compatibility are critically evaluated, while targeted research directions are proposed, including solvent‐ligand coordination tuning and artificial SEI design, and structure‐property‐performance relationships are reviewed. This work is expected to provide a roadmap for accelerating the deployment of AEE‐empowered RAZIBs in grid‐scale applications.