Integrated Carbon Layer and CoNiP Cocatalyst on SnWO Film for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting.

α-SnWO is a promising semiconductor for solar water splitting, however, its performance is limited by weak water oxidation and poor charge transfer. In this study, we employ a vapor deposition method to uniformly implement a carbon layer onto the surface of SnWO coupled with a CoNiP cocatalyst, successfully constructing the integrated CoNiP/C/SnWO film photoanode and alleviating the oxidation of Sn when loading electrocatalyst. Incorporating the carbon layer enhances the interface charge conduction behavior between the SnWO substrate and the CoNiP cocatalyst, thereby mitigating charge recombination.

Modulating the CuO Photoelectrode/Electrolyte Interface with Bilayer Surfactant Simulating Cell Membranes for Boosting Photoelectrochemical CO Reduction.

The low solubility of CO molecules and the competition of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in aqueous electrolytes pose significant challenges to the current photoelectrochemical (PEC) CO reduction reaction. In this study, inspired by the bilayer phospholipid molecular structure of cell membranes, we developed a CuO/Sn photocathode that was modified with the bilayer surfactant DHAB for achieving high CO permeability and suppressed HER. The CuO/Sn/DHAB photocathode stabilizes the *OCHO intermediate and facilitates the production of HCOOH.

Hydrophobic surface efficiently boosting CuO nanowires photoelectrochemical CO reduction activity.

The limited mass transfer of CO and the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) during photoelectrochemical (PEC) CO reduction usually result in low CO reduction activity. Here, we constructed a CuO/Sn/PTFE photocathode with a hydrophobic surface based on CuO by physical vapor deposition and a dipping method. The CO faradaic efficiency (FE) increased from 34.

Oriented CuWO Films for Improved Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting.

Hydrogen generation through photoelectrochemical (PEC) technology is one of the most appropriate ways for delivering sustainable fuel. Simultaneously, anisotropic properties will be exhibited by the materials with low crystal symmetry, allowing the tuning of the PEC properties by controlling the crystallographic orientation and exposed facets. Therefore, we synthesized copper tungstate films (CuWO) with highly exposed (100) crystal facets by regulating anions in the precursor solution.

Microwave hydrothermal renovating and reassembling spent lithium cobalt oxide for lithium-ion battery.

With the growing number of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) that are consumed by worldwide people, recycling is necessary for addressing environmental problems and alleviating energy crisis. Especially, it is meaningful to regenerate LIBs from spent batteries. In this paper, the microwave hydrothermal method is used to replenish lithium, assemble particles and optimize the crystal structure of the spent lithium cobalt oxide.

Localized Self-Growth of Reconfigurable Architectures Induced by a Femtosecond Laser on a Shape-Memory Polymer.

Architectures of natural organisms especially plants largely determine their response to varying external conditions. Nature-inspired shape transformation of artificial materials has motivated academic research for decades due to wide applications in smart textiles, actuators, soft robotics, and drug delivery. A "self-growth" method of controlling femtosecond laser scanning on the surface of a prestretched shape-memory polymer to realize microscale localized reconfigurable architectures transformation is introduced.