Advanced strategies for controlling three-phase boundaries in photocatalysis.

This review delves into the latest advancements in controlling three-phase boundaries (TPBs) in photocatalytic systems, with a focus on photo(electro)catalytic processes for nitrogen reduction, oxygen reduction, and water reduction. We critically analyze various strategies and advanced materials designed to enhance TPB performance, evaluating their impact on catalytic efficiency and identifying gaps in the existing literature. By examining sophisticated triphasic systems that integrate superwetting materials, we emphasize their essential role in improving light absorption, charge separation, and mass transfer.

Efficient homogeneous electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution using a Ni-containing polyoxometalate catalyst.

NiCl·6HO ([Ni(HO)]Cl) does not show electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction activity (HER) in an acidic aqueous medium as well as in neutral water. Interestingly, when [Ni(HO)] is present in a polyoxovanadate matrix, for example, in the compound K[Ni(HO)][VO]·4HO (1), it exhibits homogeneous electrocatalytic HER activity in an acidic aqueous solution with a turn over frequency of 2.1 s and an effective low overpotential of 127 mV at pH 2.