Aijing Ma

Electrocatalytic nitrate (NO ₃ ⁻ ) deuteration reaction (ENDR) offers a sustainable route for the distributed synthesis of deuterated ammonia (ND ₃ ). Present studies focus on alkaline electrolytes, which suffer from excessive cell voltage due to the high D ₂ O dissociation energy. The deuterated nitric acid (DNO ₃ ) solution can supply an abundant D ₃ O ⁺ source and be easily formed via NO _x direct absorption in pure D ₂ O. However, the acidic condition inevitably triggers the competing deuterium evolution reaction (DER) and severe electrocatalyst deactivation. Herein, we design and construct low‐coordinate Rh nanoclusters anchored on mesoporous carbon spheres (Rh NCs/MCS), which exhibits an outstanding long‐term ENDR stability over 200 h with a Faradaic Efficiency exceeding 80% in pure DNO ₃ . A series of characterizations reveal that low‐coordinate structure enhances the adsorption of *NO ₂ , while the MCS could accumulate nitrite and decrease D ₃ O ⁺ concentration near Rh active sites. The dual‐positive effects could boost the ND ₄ ⁺ selectivity and inhibit the competing DER. Furthermore, a high ND ₄ ⁺ yield (6.15 mmol h ⁻¹ ) at industrial current densities (240 mA cm ⁻² ) is achieved in a scaled‐up electrolytic system. This work establishes a new paradigm for distributed ND ₃ synthesis and provides a universal principle for designing robust acidic electrocatalysts.

Electrocatalytic nitrate (NO ₃ ⁻ ) deuteration reaction (ENDR) offers a sustainable route for the distributed synthesis of deuterated ammonia (ND ₃ ). Present studies focus on alkaline electrolytes, which suffer from excessive cell voltage due to the high D ₂ O dissociation energy. The deuterated nitric acid (DNO ₃ ) solution can supply an abundant D ₃ O ⁺ source and be easily formed via NO _x direct absorption in pure D ₂ O. However, the acidic condition inevitably triggers the competing deuterium evolution reaction (DER) and severe electrocatalyst deactivation. Herein, we design and construct low‐coordinate Rh nanoclusters anchored on mesoporous carbon spheres (Rh NCs/MCS), which exhibits an outstanding long‐term ENDR stability over 200 h with a Faradaic Efficiency exceeding 80% in pure DNO ₃ . A series of characterizations reveal that low‐coordinate structure enhances the adsorption of *NO ₂ , while the MCS could accumulate nitrite and decrease D ₃ O ⁺ concentration near Rh active sites. The dual‐positive effects could boost the ND ₄ ⁺ selectivity and inhibit the competing DER. Furthermore, a high ND ₄ ⁺ yield (6.15 mmol h ⁻¹ ) at industrial current densities (240 mA cm ⁻² ) is achieved in a scaled‐up electrolytic system. This work establishes a new paradigm for distributed ND ₃ synthesis and provides a universal principle for designing robust acidic electrocatalysts.

Aqueous zinc batteries hold great promise for large‐scale energy storage due to their high energy density, safety, and cost‐effectiveness. However, the intrinsic thermodynamic instability of zinc drives inevitable HER, leading to interfacial accumulation of OH ⁻ that significantly exacerbates dendrite growth and “dead zinc” formation. This work leverages the specific structural and reactive properties of histidine (HIS) to construct a Zn(OH) ₂ ‐HIS ultrathin solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the zinc anode. This SEI stabilizes the interfacial pH via a synergistic mechanism of chemical buffering and physical blocking. Chemically, the imidazole and amino groups buffer the pH via reversible protonation/deprotonation; physically, the SEI disrupts the interfacial hydrogen‐bond network and repels solvated water, thereby suppressing H ₂ O‐induced side reactions. Additionally, the SEI modulates interfacial surface energy to enable (002)‐oriented deposition. Consequently, the HIS@Zn anode achieves significantly improved reversibility with a high Coulombic efficiency of 99%. It exhibits ultra‐stable cycling for over 1350 h at 10 mA cm ⁻² and 5 mAh cm ⁻² . Even at a high depth of discharge of 81%, stable operation is maintained for over 300 h. Furthermore, the HIS@Zn||MnO ₂ full cell delivers an initial capacity of 146.6 mAh g ⁻¹ at 1 A g ⁻¹ , retaining 92.33% of its capacity after 700 cycles.

The rationally designed TAPB–DHTP–SO ₃ H COF catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic performance in hydration of α-olefins to secondary alcohols.

In aqueous zinc‑ion batteries (AZIBs), uncontrolled dendrite growth and parasitic corrosion reactions critically limit long‑term stability. Constructing a robust organic–inorganic solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) has emerged as an effective strategy; however, the mechanistic origin of Zn‐anode stabilization remains insufficiently understood. Here, we in situ construct an ultrathin organic–inorganic hybrid SEI (Zn‐S‐RCOOH) on Zn using a multifunctional organic acid, mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA). The COOH‑rich organic outer layer restructures the interfacial hydrogen‑bond (HB) network, lowers H ₂ O activity, and accelerates desolvation, whereas the inner ZnS layer provides fast Zn ²⁺ migration pathways, collectively enhancing reaction kinetics and promoting (002) oriented Zn deposition. Owing to these synergistic effects, dendrite formation and corrosion are effectively inhibited. The MSA/Zn electrode operates stably for over 2400 h at 10 mA cm ⁻² and 5 mAh cm ⁻² , and maintains>500 h stability even at a high depth of discharge (DOD, 81 %). Moreover, MSA/Zn||MnO ₂ full cells exhibited capacities of ∼189.7 and 142 mAh g ⁻¹ with high‐capacity retention (99.18 % and 97.55 %) at 0.3 and 1 A g ⁻¹ , respectively. So, our findings proposed a rational interfacial‐engineering strategy for designing durable Zn metal anodes and advancing high‐performance aqueous zinc‐ion batteries.

The recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is crucial for the sustainable utilization of metal resources. However, challenges such as range anxiety hinder its widespread adoption, thereby driving the pursuit of next-generation energy storage systems with higher energy densities. In this study, we report the development of a trifunctional electrocatalyst, URCA-800, derived from recycled carbon black obtained from ternary LIB cathode materials. The activation process involved vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) irradiation in the presence of melamine as a nitrogen source, enabling effective N-doping and structural modification. Following calcination at 800 °C, the resulting URCA-800 catalyst exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic performance toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and iodine reduction reaction (IRR). Specifically, URCA-800 achieved an ORR half-wave potential of 0.80 V (vs. RHE) and an OER overpotential of 363 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm ^− 2 in 0.1 mol L ^− 1 KOH, comparable to the performance of commercial Pt/C and IrO ₂ catalysts. When applied as a cathode in zinc-air batteries, URCA-800 delivered a high-power density of 196 mW cm ^− 2 and demonstrated excellent operational stability exceeding 400 h. Furthermore, in zinc-iodine batteries, it achieved a high specific capacity of 188.8 mAh g ^− 1 , an impressive iodine utilization efficiency of 89.6%, and outstanding cycling stability over 3,400 cycles. This work presents a scalable and environmentally friendly approach to convert battery waste into high-performance, multifunctional electrocatalysts, offering a promising pathway for advanced energy storage technologies.

Herein, pyrolysis-tailored carbon defects were introduced into MOF-derived Cu/C catalysts for the electroreduction of nitrate to ammonia. The optimized Cu/C-700 exhibited superior NRA performance, where moderate carbon defects modulated the...