Tailoring the Catalytic Activity of Metal Catalysts by Laser Irradiation.

In recent years, the rapid advancements in laser technology have garnered considerable interest as an efficient method for synthesizing electrocatalytic nanomaterials. This review delves into the progress made in laser-induced nanomaterials for electrocatalysis, providing a comprehensive overview of the synthesis strategies and catalytic mechanisms involved in defect engineering, morphology tuning, and heterostructure formation. The review highlights the various laser-induced synthesis techniques in producing nanomaterials with enhanced electrocatalytic properties.

Molecular Strain Accelerates Electron Transfer for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction.

Fe-N-C materials are emerging catalysts for replacing precious platinum in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for renewable energy conversion. However, their potential is hindered by sluggish ORR kinetics, leading to a high overpotential and impeding efficient energy conversion. Using iron phthalocyanine (FePc) as a model catalyst, we elucidate how the local strain can enhance the ORR performance of Fe-N-Cs.

Copper-Catalysed Electrochemical CO Methanation via the Alloying of Single Cobalt Atoms.

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO) to methane (CH) presents a promising solution for mitigating CO emissions while producing valuable chemical feedstocks. Although single-atom catalysts have shown potential in selectively converting CO to CH, their limited active sites often hinder the realization of high current densities, posing a selectivity-activity dilemma. In this study, we developed a single-atom cobalt (Co) doped copper catalyst (CoCu) that achieved a CH Faradaic efficiency exceeding 60 % with a partial current density of -482.

Direct Synthesis of Topology-Controlled BODIPY and CO-Based Zirconium Metal-Organic Frameworks for Efficient Photocatalytic CO Reduction.

Boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-based zirconium metal-organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) possess strong light-harvesting capabilities and great potential for artificial photosynthesis without the use of sacrificial reagents. However, their direct preparation has not yet been achieved due to challenges in synthesizing suitable ligands. Herein, we reported the first successful direct synthesis of BODIPY-based Zr-MOFs, utilizing CO as a feedstock.

Subtle Modifications in Interface Configurations of Iron/Cobalt Phthalocyanine-Based Electrocatalysts Determine Molecular CO Reduction Activities.

Strain engineering has emerged as a powerful approach in steering material properties. However, the mechanism and potential limitations remain poorly understood. Here we report that subtle changes in molecular configurations can profoundly affect, conducively or adversely, the catalytic selectivity and product turnover frequencies (TOFs) of CO reduction reaction.

Advanced electrolytes for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have garnered significant attention in the realm of large-scale and sustainable energy storage, primarily owing to their high safety, low cost, and eco-friendliness. Aqueous electrolytes, serving as an indispensable constituent, exert a direct influence on the electrochemical performance and longevity of AZIBs. Nonetheless, conventional aqueous electrolytes often encounter formidable challenges in AZIB applications, such as the limited electrochemical stability window and the zinc dendrite growth.

Boosting the photoelectrochemical performance of BiVO by borate buffer activation: the role of trace iron impurities.

BiVO is an attractive photoanode material for water oxidation, but requires surface treatment to improve the energy efficiency and stability. Herein, we investigate the role of borate buffer in activating the BiVO photoanode. We found that trace iron impurities in the borate buffer play a critical role in activating the photoanode.

A Near-Infrared-II Excitable Pyridinium Probe with 1000-Fold ON/OFF Ratio for γ-Glutamyltranspeptidase and Cancer Detection.

Activity-based detection of γ-Glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) using near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes is a promising strategy for early cancer diagnosis. Although NIR pyridinium probes show high performance in biochemical analysis, the aggregation of both the probes and parental fluorochromes in biological environments is prone to result in a low signal-to-noise ratio (SBR), thus affecting their clinical applications. Here, we develop a GGT-activatable aggregate probe called OTBP-G for two-photon fluorescence imaging in various biological environments under 1040 nm excitation.

Constructing Ionic Interfaces for Stable Electrochemical CO Reduction.

The electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CORR) has emerged as a promising approach for sustainable carbon cycling and valuable chemical production. Various methods and strategies have been explored to boost CORR performance. One of the most promising strategies includes the construction of stable ionic interfaces on metallic or molecular catalysts using organic or inorganic cations, which has demonstrated a significant improvement in catalytic performance.

Unrestricted molecular motions enable mild photothermy for recurrence-resistant FLASH antitumor radiotherapy.

Ultrahigh dose-rate (FLASH) radiotherapy is an emerging technology with excellent therapeutic effects and low biological toxicity. However, tumor recurrence largely impede the effectiveness of FLASH therapy. Overcoming tumor recurrence is crucial for practical FLASH applications.

Laser-Induced Graphene-Based Sensors in Health Monitoring: Progress, Sensing Mechanisms, and Applications.

The rising global population and improved living standards have led to an alarming increase in non-communicable diseases, notably cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, posing a severe threat to human health. Wearable sensing devices, utilizing micro-sensing technology for real-time monitoring, have emerged as promising tools for disease prevention. Among various sensing platforms, graphene-based sensors have shown exceptional performance in the field of micro-sensing.

Flash healing of laser-induced graphene.

The advancement of laser-induced graphene (LIG) technology has streamlined the fabrications of flexible graphene devices. However, the ultrafast kinetics triggered by laser irradiation generates intrinsic amorphous characteristics, leading to high resistivity and compromised performance in electronic devices. Healing graphene defects in specific patterns is technologically challenging by conventional methods.

Coordination Environment Engineering of Metal Centers in Coordination Polymers for Selective Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction toward Multicarbon Products.

Electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CORR) toward value-added chemicals/fuels has offered a sustainable strategy to achieve a carbon-neutral energy cycle. However, it remains a great challenge to controllably and precisely regulate the coordination environment of active sites in catalysts for efficient generation of targeted products, especially the multicarbon (C) products. Herein we report the coordination environment engineering of metal centers in coordination polymers for efficient electroreduction of CO to C products under neutral conditions.

A Functionally Asymmetric Janus Hygro-Photothermal Hybrid for Atmospheric Water Harvesting in Arid Regions.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are high-performance adsorbents for atmospheric water harvesting but have poor water-desorption ability, requiring excess energy input to release the trapped water. Addressing this issue, a Janus-structured adsorbent with functional asymmetry is presented. The material exhibits contrasting functionalities on either face - a hygroscopic face interfaced with a photothermal face.

Backbone Engineering of Polymeric Catalysts for High-Performance CO Reduction in Bipolar Membrane Zero-Gap Electrolyzer.

Bipolar membranes (BPMs) have emerged as a promising solution for mitigating CO losses, salt precipitation and high maintenance costs associated with the commonly used anion-exchange membrane electrode assembly for CO reduction reaction (CORR). However, the industrial implementation of BPM-based zero-gap electrolyzer is hampered by the poor CORR performance, largely attributed to the local acidic environment. Here, we report a backbone engineering strategy to improve the CORR performance of molecular catalysts in BPM-based zero-gap electrolyzers by covalently grafting cobalt tetraaminophthalocyanine onto a positively charged polyfluorene backbone (PF-CoTAPc).

Ultrathin, Cationic Covalent Organic Nanosheets for Enhanced CO Electroreduction to Methanol.

Metalloporphyrins and metallophthalocyanines emerge as popular building blocks to develop covalent organic nanosheets (CONs) for CO reduction reaction (CORR). However, existing CONs predominantly yield CO, posing a challenge in achieving efficient methanol production through multielectron reduction. Here, ultrathin, cationic, and cobalt-phthalocyanine-based CONs (iminium-CONs) are reported for electrochemical CO-to-CHOH conversion.

Powerful Synergy of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Aggregation-Induced Emission-Active Photosensitizer in Photodynamic Therapy.

Breast cancer (BC) remains a significant global health challenge for women despite advancements in early detection and treatment. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL), a compound derived from traditional Chinese medicine, has shown potential as an anti-BC therapy, but its low bioavailability and poor water solubility restrict its effectiveness. In this study, we created theranostic nanoparticles consisting of ISL and a near-infrared (NIR) photosensitizer, TBPI, which displays aggregation-induced emission (AIE), with the goal of providing combined chemo- and photodynamic therapies (PDT) for BC.

Ultrafast Hole Transfer in Graphitic Carbon Nitride Imide Enabling Efficient HO Photoproduction.

Solar-driven photocatalysis is a promising approach for renewable energy application. HO photocatalysis by metal-free graphitic carbon nitride has been gaining attention. Compared with traditional thermal catalysis, metal-free graphitic carbon nitride photocatalysis could lower material cost and achieve greener production of HO.

In situ generation of highly localized chlorine by laser-induced graphene electrodes during electrochemical disinfection.

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has gained popularity for electrochemical water disinfection due to its efficient antimicrobial activity when activated with low voltages. However, the antimicrobial mechanism of LIG electrodes is not yet fully understood. This study demonstrated an array of mechanisms working synergistically to inactivate bacteria during electrochemical treatment using LIG electrodes, including the generation of oxidants, changes in pH-specifically high alkalinity associated with the cathode, and electro-adsorption on the electrodes.

Manipulating Electric Double Layer Adsorption for Stable Solid-Electrolyte Interphase in 2.3 Ah Zn-Pouch Cells.

Constructing a reliable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) is imperative for enabling highly reversible zinc metal (Zn ) electrodes. Contrary to conventional "bulk solvation" mechanism, we found the SEI structure is dominated by electric double layer (EDL) adsorption. We manipulate the EDL adsorption and Zn solvation with ether additives (i.

Dual Behavior Regulation: Tether-Free Deep-Brain Stimulation by Photothermal and Upconversion Hybrid Nanoparticles.

Optogenetics has been plagued by invasive brain implants and thermal effects during photo-modulation. Here, two upconversion hybrid nanoparticles modified with photothermal agents, named PT-UCNP-B/G, which can modulate neuronal activities via photostimulation and thermo-stimulation under near-infrared laser irradiation at 980 nm and 808 nm, respectively, are demonstrated. PT-UCNP-B/G emits visible light (410-500 nm or 500-570 nm) through the upconversion process at 980 nm, while they exhibit efficient photothermal effect at 808 nm with no visible emission and tissue damage.

Direct Synthesis of Ammonia from Nitrate on Amorphous Graphene with Near 100% Efficiency.

Ammonia is an indispensable commodity in the agricultural and pharmaceutical industries. Direct nitrate-to-ammonia electroreduction is a decentralized route yet challenged by competing side reactions. Most catalysts are metal-based, and metal-free catalysts with high nitrate-to-ammonia conversion activity are rarely reported.