Qi An

The electrocatalytic ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR), using ethylene glycol (EG) obtained from hydrolyzed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste, offers a route for converting this plastic into valuable chemicals. However, steering selectivity between the C ₁ and C ₂ pathways remains challenging. This Review focuses on in situ spectroscopy for tracking interfacial reaction dynamics under operating conditions. We summarize how in situ Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy enable real‐time identification of adsorbed intermediates and active species, providing mechanistic insights inaccessible to ex situ methods. We then evaluate noble‐metal and non‐noble‐metal catalysts and discuss how their structural characteristics regulate EG adsorption, OH ⁻ activation, and intermediate conversion. Particular attention is given to tuning C ₁ /C ₂ branching to improve activity, selectivity, and poisoning resistance. We further survey EGOR applications in electrolysis systems, including pairing with hydrogen evolution for coproduction of value‐added chemicals and hydrogen and coupling with CO ₂ reduction or organic synthesis to construct energy‐efficient electrochemical cells. Ultimately, such mechanistic understanding offers guidance for rational catalyst design and sustainable PET upcycling.

Flexible electrodes with appropriate electrical performance are important for the development of wearable and biointerfaced triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), while their local tissue response requires careful assessment for bio‐applications. In this work, we designed a novel flexible composite electrode based on a poly(vinylidene fluoride‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP) matrix blended with the ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMIM‐TFSI) and doped with graphene oxide (GO). The synergistic effect between EMIM‐TFSI and GO facilitates the conformational transformation of PVDF‐HFP toward a β‐phase‐dominated structure and establishes complementary ionic‐migration/interfacial‐polarization and GO‐assisted local charge‐transfer/polarization mechanisms for effective signal transmission across a broad frequency range. Cross‐scale DFT and FEM simulations elucidate synergistic ionic‐electronic transport dynamics and provide a framework for interpreting composite‐electrode electrical performance. The Ecoflex/PDMS‐encapsulated TENG equipped with this flexible electrode generated an open‐circuit voltage of ∼4 V and maintained electrical output after water immersion and during cycling under the tested conditions. Preliminary in vivo observations provided descriptive evidence of a short‐term local tissue response, and active TENG stimulation elicited measurable evoked CMAP responses, although the amplitudes were lower than those obtained with conventional electrical stimulation under the tested conditions. This work presents a proof‐of‐concept flexible bioelectronic interface for self‐powered peripheral nerve stimulation.

SERS and colorimetric dual-mode sensing platform based on Au@Ag and Au@Ag–graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites for cyanide detection in Baijiu.

Contact-electro-catalysis (CEC) at catalyst-water interfaces shows promise for wastewater purification, metal recovery, and H ₂ O ₂ production, but catalyst design has mainly emphasized electron-withdrawing ability while overlooking interfacial water transfer. Here, we develop a hydrophobicity engineering strategy for natural silicate minerals to optimize catalyst-water contact by balancing the water approach and removal. As a representative non-fluorinated system, alkyl-modified minerals with moderate hydrophobicity (water contact angle of 125–148°) achieve a H ₂ O ₂ yield of 350.0 μmol·L ^–1 ·h ^–1 under ultrasonication, outperforming fluorinated minerals. Mechanistic analysis indicates that this enhancement arises from improved interfacial contact efficiency rather than stronger electron-withdrawing ability alone. This strategy also remains effective under weak-force conditions, enabling self-powered CEC in a natural river. The modified minerals selectively enriched microorganisms associated with oxidative stress resistance and oxidized organic carbon utilization, including Novosphingobium sp. Together, these findings identify hydrophobicity regulation as an effective contact-optimization strategy for CEC.

Multilevel mechanisms by which CuO NPs drive S. aureus into the VBNC state.

Traditional antibacterial systems are limited by poor stability of natural enzymes, weak antimicrobial activity of conventional nanozymes, and the need for exogenous H ₂ O ₂ or pH adjustment, thus failing to meet the demands of clinical wound care. To address these issues, this study constructed a glucose oxidase‐glucose‐mineral‐based composite nanozyme (GLU‐GOD‐FAM) antibacterial system and systematically evaluated its catalytic mechanism, stability, antimicrobial activity, in vivo wound healing efficacy, and biosafety. Results showed that FAM overcame the inactivation of natural enzymes under high temperature or UV irradiation; GLU‐GOD‐FAM exhibited a “1 + 1 > 2” synergistic antimicrobial effect, achieving 100% bactericidal rate against E. coli and S. aureus without exogenous H ₂ O ₂ supplementation or pH adjustment. In vivo, it accelerated the healing of infected and noninfected mouse dorsal wounds and caused no obvious damage to major organs. This stable, efficient, and safe system provides a novel candidate for clinical emergency wound care and postoperative infection control.

The piezoionic effect refers to the generation of high ionic currents due to ionic polarization caused by the differentiated movement of cations and anions in polymer electrolytes under gradient deformation. This novel power generation mechanism resembles physiological electricity and shows great promise in bio-related applications. The field of piezoionics benefits from the excellent designability of flexible polymeric materials in terms of their functionality and properties. In this review, the universal basic principles of piezoionics are described first. Subsequently, we summarize four strategies for enhancing net ionic flux through advanced material engineering: structural design optimization, interface engineering, phase separation control, and ion selectivity enhancement. Furthermore, we summarize the current applications in sensing and biointerface technology, as well as provide a prospective analysis of existing challenges and technical limitations for future development. Overall, this review aims to demonstrate the comprehensive development of novel piezoionics and accelerate the transition of these materials from basic research to practical applications.

Ag–TiO ₂ SERS substrate enhances biofluid molecular fingerprints via synergistic plasmonic and charge-transfer effects. Coupled with machine learning, it enables rapid classification of osteomyelitis using intraoperative wound saline irrigation fluid.