Haiqing Wang

Interfaces are central to photocatalytic solar-to-chemical conversion. Conventional heterointerfaces mainly optimize band alignment and macroscopic charge separation. Atomic-scale interface engineering in photocatalysis denotes the strategic construction of atomically precise interfacial architectures with controlled chemical bonding, lattice coherence, and coordination environments, thereby governing interfacial charge redistribution, carrier routing, and reaction intermediate activation at atom level. In this review, we highlight advanced synthetic approaches-including seed-mediated growth, cation exchange, and coordination-confined anchoring-and discuss how operando spectroscopy combined with density functional theory elucidates interfacial electric fields and orbital coupling in steering multi-electron reactions such as CO₂ reduction and H₂ evolution. We further systematically summarize the design principles and the recent development of covalently bridged ensembles, epitaxial heterointerfaces, defect-mediated boundaries, and atomically dispersed single/dual-atom sites. Finally, emerging directions in superlattice engineering and dipole-induced polarization are outlined to guide the rational development of next-generation photocatalysts with enhanced quantum efficiency and product selectivity.

Structural engineering of plasmonic metal-semiconductor photocatalysts is paramount for advancing artificial photosynthesis. Herein, we report the rational design of a super-hybrid, multi-shell Au-tipped ZnCdS nanoantenna reactor (HAZ), featuring highly ordered ZnCdS nanorod arrays epitaxially grown on both the inner and outer shells of a permeable, multi-shelled Au framework. By leveraging precise lattice matching and controlled growth dynamics, the geometry and dimensions of the catalyst are finely tuned. Remarkably, the HAZ catalyst achieves a superior hydrogen evolution rate of 4174 μmol·g-1·h-1 in pure water under simulated solar irradiation, approximately 17 and 40 times higher than conventional Au-decorated and pristine ZnCdS nanorods, respectively. Mechanistic investigations reveal that collective plasmonic excitation within the hollow multi-shell Au structure induces strongly coupled plasmonic modes, while the Au-tipped nanoantenna configuration concentrates an intense localized electric field. Crucially, the synergy between this enhanced electromagnetic field and the intrinsic dipole moment of ZnCdS accelerates the generation and separation of photoexcited charge carriers. This ’dipole-field synergy’ concept within a nanoantenna-reactor framework offers a robust strategy for the rational design of high-performance photocatalysts for sustainable energy conversion.

The photothermal pathway of converting carbon dioxide (CO₂) into hydrocarbons presents an effective and straightforward production for solar fuels. Nonetheless, the rational design of a robust solar-driven catalytic system for efficient CO₂ conversion remains a persistent challenge. In this work, we elaborately construct a multi-shell Au@Rh nanoantenna reactor for photothermal CO₂ methanation. The plasmonically active multi-shell Au structure serves as ‘antenna’, and the catalytically active Rh nanoparticle function as ‘reactor’. The reactor exhibits a superior CH₄ yield rate and nearly 100% selectivity in comparison with the other Au structures (single-shell and nanoparticle) and the kinds of active sites (Ru, Ir, and Co). The well-arranged Au nanoparticles in multi-shell structure provide the collective plasmon-coupled excitation, leading to the strong LSPR effect. Then, the antenna could convert the wide-spectrum solar energy to high surface temperature and enhanced electric field. The in-situ spectra and theoretical calculation indicate that the CO₂ methanation reaction in Au@Rh nanoantenna reactor follows the formyl pathway. The strong electro-proton coupling transfer ability of Au@Rh nanoantenna reactor contributes to the complex reaction pathway for CO₂ methanation. Especially, compared with Au catalyst, both the formation of COOH* intermediate and the key transformation from CO* to CHO* in Au@Rh nanoantenna reactor were promoted through the adequate supply of proton-electron pair and the strong interaction between Au and Rh sites. The ingenious design for nanoantenna reactor and the new findings in photothermal CO₂ methanation will inspire the development of mild hydrogenation for boosting CO₂-to-fuel conversion.

Electrocatalytic oxidation of biomass molecules such as ethanol in hybrid alkaline water electrolysis is more thermodynamically favorable and techno‐economic attractive to replace conventional pure water electrooxidation to produce green hydrogen. Herein, the flexible and binder‐free hollow microtube catalyst arrays of CoS ₂ /CC, Ni _0.04 Co _0.96 S ₂ /CC, Fe _0.07 Ni _0.04 Co _0.89 S ₂ /CC, and Fe _0.08 Ni _0.10 Co _0.82 S ₂ /CC were derived from metal‐organic framework arrays anchored on carbon cloth (CC). These arrays exhibited favorable performance in electrochemical water oxidation, ethanol oxidation, and hydrogen evolution processes, because of their obvious advantages in high conductivity and long‐term stability. The optimized self‐supporting Fe _0.08 Ni _0.10 Co _0.82 S ₂ /CC electrode composed of a 3D hollow porous microtube structure only needs a low potential of 1.412 and 1.267 V (vs. RHE) to deliver 10 mA cm ⁻² current density for alkaline water and ethanol oxidation reactions, respectively. Simultaneously, the pure CoS ₂ /CC electrode presents excellent alkaline hydrogen production property among the series self‐supporting electrodes with a low overpotential of 188 mV at 10 mA cm ⁻² . In this work, it is proved that the hybrid water splitting system, using Fe _0.08 Ni _0.10 Co _0.82 S ₂ /CC and CoS ₂ /CC as anode and cathode, respectively, can effectively reduce the cell voltage to 1.479 V to deliver 10 mA cm ⁻² with high pure hydrogen generation and high valued potassium acetate generation.

The conversion of carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) into value‐added chemicals and renewable fuels is a promising approach to mitigate climate change and promote the development of sustainable energy systems. However, despite the broad range of products, including CO, formic acid and multi‐carbon hydrocarbons, the large‐scale implementation of CO ₂ conversion technologies is still hindered by low catalytic efficiency and high energy consumption. This review introduces recent advances in catalytic materials design, emphasizing the structure–property relationships that govern the performance of highly efficient catalysts across various CO ₂ conversion processes, including photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, CO ₂ hydrogenation, photothermal conversion, non‐thermal plasma techniques, and biological methodologies. By examining the synergies among catalyst architectures, key intermediates, catalytic mechanisms and reactor designs, this review explores the potential for tailored CO ₂ conversion processes with optimized reaction pathways to achieve specific catalytic products, and also provides a roadmap for the development of efficient, scalable CO ₂ conversion technologies to facilitate the transition to a circular carbon economy.

The interdisciplinary integration of medicine and engineering serves as a central technological driver for advancing the regulation of stem cell differentiation toward specific lineages in tissue repair. In contrast to biological and chemical signals, physical signals (light, acoustic, magnetic, mechanical, and electrical) offer superior tunability and spatiotemporal precision. However, macroscopic external physical fields alone are generally ineffective for modulating stem cell fate. Nanostructure‐mediated physical signals allow the generation of localized, quantifiable, and dynamically controllable cues that can be specifically recognized by cell surface receptors, ultimately regulating stem cell differentiation through nanoscale extracellular matrix components such as fibrin and polysaccharide fibers. The core mechanisms governing this process include field‐induced material polarization, nanostructure‐mediated signal amplification, energy conversion effects, and synergistic activation of downstream gene expression. A novel concept‐termed “regulation of stem cell fate via nanostructure‐mediated physical signals” has emerged as a critical frontier across biomaterials, cell biology, and tissue engineering. Building on recent advances in external‐field‐responsive functional nanomaterials, this perspective not only synthesizes the mechanisms and effects of diverse nanostructure‐mediated physical signals but also inspires further interdisciplinary collaboration in engineering‐medicine applications.