Consolidating the Oxygen Reduction with Sub-Polarized Graphitic Fe-N Atomic Sites for an Efficient Flexible Zinc-Air Battery.

The effectuation of the Zn-air battery (ZAB) is appealing for active and durable catalysts to kinetically drive the sluggish cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Atomic metal-N-C sites are widely witnessed with Pt-like activity, but their demetalations still severely restrict the durability in ORR. Here we have profiled an ordered hierarchical porous carbon supported Fe-N single-atom (FeNC) catalyst by a template derivation method for efficient ORR and flexible ZAB studies.

Selective CO Electroreduction to Multi-Carbon Products on Organic-Functionalized CuO Nanoparticles by Local Micro-Environment Modulation.

Surface functionalization of Cu-based catalysts has demonstrated promising potential for enhancing the electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CORR) toward multi-carbon (C) products, primarily by suppressing the parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction and facilitating a localized CO/CO concentration at the electrode. Building upon this approach, we developed surface-functionalized catalysts with exceptional activity and selectivity for electrocatalytic CORR to C in a neutral electrolyte. Employing CuO nanoparticles coated with hexaethynylbenzene organic molecules (HEB-CuO NPs), a remarkable C Faradaic efficiency of nearly 90% was achieved at an unprecedented current density of 300 mA cm, and a high FE (> 80%) was maintained at a wide range of current densities (100-600 mA cm) in neutral environments using a flow cell.

Synthesis of 2H/fcc-Heterophase AuCu Nanostructures for Highly Efficient Electrochemical CO Reduction at Industrial Current Densities.

Structural engineering of nanomaterials offers a promising way for developing high-performance catalysts toward catalysis. However, the delicate modulation of thermodynamically unfavorable nanostructures with unconventional phases still remains a challenge. Here, the synthesis of hierarchical AuCu nanostructures is reported with hexagonal close-packed (2H-type)/face-centered cubic (fcc) heterophase, high-index facets, planar defects (e.

Transport mechanism and control technology of heavy metal ions in gangue backfill materials in short-wall block backfill mining.

Short-wall block backfill mining can effectively control the movement of overlying strata, prevent water loss and utilize waste gangue materials. However, heavy metal ions (HMI) of gangue backfill materials in the mined-out area can be released and transported to the underlying aquifer, causing pollution of water resources in the mine. Accordingly, with short-wall block backfill mining technology, this study analyzed the sensitivity of gangue backfill materials to the environment.

Preparation of Au@Pd Core-Shell Nanorods with -2H- Heterophase for Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic Alcohol Oxidation.

Controlled construction of bimetallic nanostructures with a well-defined heterophase is of great significance for developing highly efficient nanocatalysts and investigating the structure-dependent catalytic performance. Here, a wet-chemical synthesis method is used to prepare Au@Pd core-shell nanorods with a unique -2H- heterophase (: face-centered cubic; 2H: hexagonal close-packed with a stacking sequence of "AB"). The obtained -2H- heterophase Au@Pd core-shell nanorods exhibit superior electrocatalytic ethanol oxidation performance with a mass activity as high as 6.

Rapid Activation of Platinum with Black Phosphorus for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution.

Modulation of the electronic structure of metal catalysts is an effective approach to optimize the electrocatalytic activity. Herein, we show a surprisingly strong activation effect of black phosphorus (BP) on platinum (Pt) catalysts to give greatly enhanced catalytic activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The unique and negative binding energy between BP and Pt leads to spontaneous formation of Pt-P bonds producing strong synergistic ligand effects on the Pt nanoparticles.

Vivid structural colors from long-range ordered and carbon-integrated colloidal photonic crystals.

A facile strategy to prepare high-quality colloidal photonic crystals (PCs) with good visibility is proposed. Based on a high refractive-index material (zinc sulfide), highly monodispersed colloidal particles are successfully produced and assembled into long-range ordered crystalline colloidal arrays. The carbon-based materials are in situ incorporated with the long-range ordered colloidal PCs, which endows PCs with the combined characteristics to simultaneously achieve an intense photonic stop band and excellent control of incoherent light scattering.

Black Phosphorus/Platinum Heterostructure: A Highly Efficient Photocatalyst for Solar-Driven Chemical Reactions.

A 2D black phosphorus/platinum heterostructure (Pt/BP) is developed as a highly efficient photocatalyst for solar-driven chemical reactions. The heterostructure, synthesized by depositing BP nanosheets with ultrasmall (≈1.1 nm) Pt nanoparticles, shows strong Pt-P interactions and excellent stability.

Synthesis of Ultrasmall Platinum Nanoparticles on Polymer Nanoshells for Size-Dependent Catalytic Oxidation Reactions.

It is highly desirable for the synthesis and stabilization of noble metal nanoparticles of uniform, precisely tunable sizes, especially in the range of angstroms to a few nanometers, for many catalytic applications in pursuit of optimal activity and selectivity. Herein, we report a novel strategy for the synthesis of uniform platinum (Pt) nanoparticles of ultrasmall sizes (average size: 0.9-2.

Explaining the Size Dependence in Platinum-Nanoparticle-Catalyzed Hydrogenation Reactions.

Hydrogenation reactions are industrially important reactions that typically require unfavorably high H pressure and temperature for many functional groups. Herein we reveal surprisingly strong size-dependent activity of Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs) in catalyzing this reaction. Based on unambiguous spectral analyses, the size effect has been rationalized by the size-dependent d-band electron structure of the PtNPs.