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Synergistic thermal-mass enrichment on macro-mesoporous N,S-codoped carbon derived from used tea for ultrafast nitroaromatics reduction
Tao Huang, Jie Mao, Yujun Zhu, Dongqiao Cai, Mingzhi Xu, Zhongwang Hu, Huan Pang, Yingrun Cai, Junfa Zhu, Fei Ke
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.017
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Nitroaromatic reduction is one of the most valuable industrial reactions; however, the development of eco-friendly carbon-based metal-free catalysts is extremely limited by their low activities and insufficient wettability. Herein, we present a highly efficient hierarchical macro-mesoporous N,S-codoped carbon catalyst, derived from used tea featuring a superhydrophilic structure achieved through an alkaline-mediated thiourea activation carbonization strategy, for the reduction of nitroaromatic compounds. The ultrahigh-carbon macroporous structure is crucial for maximizing the exposure of the external surface area of active sites. Additionally, N,S-codoping enhances surface wettability, ensuring excellent accessibility of active sites in aqueous reactions. These outstanding advantages enable the optimized catalyst (N,S1-TC-600) to exhibit high catalytic activity in nitroaromatic reduction. Finite element method and density functional theory calculations indicate that N and S codoping within the macroporous structure results in superior catalytic performance through the synergistic effect of thermal accumulation and mass transfer enrichment on the macro-mesoporous carbon catalyst, which is driven by redistribution of charge and spin density. Furthermore, activation energy barrier calculations revealed that the optimized N,S1-TC-600 has a lower activation energy for 4-nitrophenol reduction. This work presents a valuable methodology for constructing and modulating the electronic state of highly efficient carbon-based metal-free catalysts, which may provide a general guidance for the fabrication of other carbon-based catalysts.
Fluorine-Induced Local Electronic Restructuring on LiMn2O4 Surface for Enhanced Selective Lithium Extraction
Weiyi Zhang, Jun Gu, Xinyu Liu, Linlin Chen, Haiyan Ji, Yanhong Chao, Yuhong Zhang, Hongping Li, Peiwen Wu, Wenshuai Zhu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.022
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This work targets the long-standing limitations of spinel LiMn2O4 (LMO) in electrochemical lithium extraction from salt-lake brines, including manganese dissolution, surface structural instability, and sluggish Li+ transport kinetics. To address these challenges, a fluorine-induced cooperative surface-electronic engineering strategy is proposed, which enables a distinct reconstruction of the surface electronic structure, characterized by an increased Mn3+ fraction and the generation of oxygen vacancies. The reduced binding energy of the Mn 2p peak in XPS spectra, and the upward shift of the d-band center revealed by PDOS calculations, confirm enhanced surface redox activity and ion-transport capability. Consequently, the fluorine-modified LMO exhibits significantly improved lithium extraction performance in both simulated and real brine environments with 1MF-LMO delivering the optimal performance. In simulated brine, it achieves average Li+ extraction and release rates of 18.16 and 16.45 mg g-1 h-1, representing enhancements of 159% and 229% relative to LMO. Under complex practical conditions, including lithium-rich mother liquor and West Taijinar salt-lake brine, 1MF-LMO maintains high Li+ extraction capacities of 26.51 and 30.21 mg g-1 h-1, respectively, demonstrating excellent adaptability. Furthermore, a trace amount of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) can synergistically optimize interfacial functionality, which combines interfacial electrostatic effects and size-exclusion effects that mainly suppress the co-extraction of Na+ and Mg2+ and thus significantly enhance Li+ selectivity.
Dense Crystalline-Amorphous Interfaces Modulate Competitive Adsorption for Efficient Biomass Upgrading
Xinyu Liu, Jingcheng Wu, Lin Hu, Yang Liu, Jingze Yang, Mingyu Wan, Anmin Zheng
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.020
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The 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation reaction (HMFOR) is a promising approach for biomass upgrading. However, the mechanistic complexity of HMFOR poses limitations on its widespread adoption. In particular, the competitive adsorption between HMF molecules and hydroxyl species on electrocatalyst surfaces critically governs the reaction kinetics and selectivity. Herein, a dense crystalline-amorphous (c-a) Ag/NCM heterointerface is engineered to modulate competitive adsorption for efficient HMFOR. The introduction of crystalline Ag not only promotes the electrochemical formation of active NiCo(OOH)2 species but also preferentially adsorbs HMF via the aldehyde group. As a result, the Ag/NCM catalyst delivers a markedly reduced onset potential (1.05 VRHE) and a fivefold enhancement in current density compared to NCM. In-situ Raman spectroscopy, in-situ 2-D FTIR, multipotential electrochemical measurements, and density functional theory calculations collectively reveal that Ag modulates the competitive adsorption of HMF and OH* on the c-a interface, and accelerates the rate-determining HMFCA-to-FFCA step. This study not only illuminates the adsorption facilitation mechanism at the c-a interfacial sites but also offers invaluable insights for advancing the field of biomass electrocatalysis, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable utilization of biomass resources.
Perovskite cathode with self-exsolved CoFe nanoparticles for efficient hydrogen evolution in ammonia solid oxide electrolysis cell
Jiacheng You, Shiquan Qu, Xinjie Ge, Jiawei Tang, Yiting Jiang, Fulan Zhong, Huihuang Fang, Yu Luo, Lilong Jiang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.023
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Ammonia electrolysis via solid oxide cell (NH3-SOEC) offers a promising hydrogen production route with low electricity consumption and carbon-free operation. However, compared with conventional solid oxide electrolysis cell, suitable cathode materials remain to explore due to differences in cathodic kinetics and potential. Here, a series of Co-doped Sr2Fe1.5-xCoxMo0.5O6-δ (SFCxM, x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) catalysts were synthesized and applied as NH3-SOEC cathodes. Rivetingly, CoFe nanoparticles were self-exsolved in situ during electrolysis, as confirmed by SEM, XRD, TEM, EDX, and XPS, which is favourable for enhancing the catalytic activity. Among SFCxM, SFC0.2M exhibited the highest nanoparticle density and oxygen vacancy concentration, which can be attributed to lower-temperature reduction site due to Co doping, facilitating greater nanoparticle exsolution. Superior water adsorption and hydrogen desorption, along with markedly lower ohmic and polarization resistances, collectively endowed SFC0.2M with optimal performances, as evidenced by its achievement -1.37 A·cm-2 and 0.6 V at 750 °C. As a result, SFC0.2M was confirmed as a robust NH3-SOEC cathode material through stability testing. This work demonstrated an effective Co-doped perovskite cathode for NH3-SOEC and provided insights for designing advanced cathode materials for solid oxide electrolysis cell.
Fe-N Coordination Tunes Lattice Oxygen Mobility in Fe@CN for Selective Oxidation of Crude 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid
Wenlong Jia, Shibo Yang, Tong Sun, Xing Tang, Lincai Peng, Shuliang Yang, Yong Sun
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.011
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Owing to the scarcity of natural resources, the polyester industries have turned to synthesizing 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to replace terephthalic acid for meeting their extensive demands. Achieving efficient oxidation of cheap and available crude-HMF into FDCA presents significant challenges. Herein, a highly dispersed Fe3N nanoparticle catalyst anchored on N-doped carbon (Fe@CN) was developed for efficient aerobic oxidation of crude HMF to FDCA, a key renewable alternative to terephthalic acid. The Fe@CN catalyst delivers a 94% FDCA yield with exceptional stability under 150 °C, 3 MPa air, 3 h in aqueous solution, outperforming most non-noble metal catalysts. Structural and mechanistic studies reveal that Fe-N coordination weakens Fe-O bonds and boosts lattice oxygen mobility, accelerating the rate-determining hydroxyl oxidation step via a Mars-van Krevelen mechanism. Preferential adsorption of the HMF hydroxyl group on Lewis acidic Fe3+ sites direct the dominant pathway through 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF). Dynamic Fe2+/Fe3+ redox cycling and efficient lattice oxygen replenishment at pyridinic-N sites sustain catalytic activity. This work offers a general design principle for low-cost, robust catalysts toward sustainable biomass valorization.
MOF-Assisted Catalytic Laser-Induced Pyramid-Array Graphene on Biomass for Efficient Solar Desalination
Haocheng Xu, Feiyu Tian, Li Cai, Yunjie Chen, Na Su, Bofan Li, Xinwu Xu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.021
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Solar-driven interfacial evaporators from biomass provide a sustainable solution for freshwater production, yet their deployment is often constrained by inefficient light harvesting, limited purification capability, and the lack of eco-friendly fabrication processes. Herein, we integrate multifunctional ZIF-67 with natural rattan to develop a MOF-assisted catalytic laser-induced graphitization (CLIG) strategy that converts rattan surfaces into pyramid-array graphene architectures under ambient conditions, simultaneously achieving in-situ graphitization, surface micro-structuring, and functional integration. During laser irradiation, ZIF67@phosphate catalytic complexes create a transient protective microenvironment that promotes sp2-hybridized carbon assembly while suppressing oxidative degradation, yielding a seamlessly integrated pyramid-array graphene-based photothermal layer with multi-dimensional light harvest, broadband solar absorption and high photothermal conversion efficiency (96.72 %). ZIF-67 imparts multifunctionality by catalytically assisting local graphitization and scavenging volatile byproducts during laser treatment, while potentially contributing to evaporation-enthalpy reduction through modification of the confined interfacial water environment. The pyramid-array topology induces dual-Marangoni convection to accelerate water replenishment and effectively suppress salt crystallization. Coupled with rattan’s intrinsic bimodal vascular network, the resulting evaporator achieves efficient solar desalination with rapid self-cleaning for long-term stable operation. This work establishes a scalable strategy that bridges catalytic photothermal chemistry and biomass valorization, showing promise for broader lignocellulosic substrates in sustainable solar desalination.
Emerging Flexible Sensor Technologies for In-Situ Monitoring in PEMFCs: A Comprehensive Review
Tao Luo, Yingying Dai, Jinyang Le, Yujie Zheng, Chongjie Jiang, Xi Wang, Xinning Zhu, Yuzhi Ke, Xuyang Chu, Wei Zhou
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.015
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Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) play a crucial role in the transition toward hydrogen-based clean energy systems. However, their performance and durability are highly sensitive to internal environmental conditions, which remain difficult to monitor in real time. Traditional monitoring methods, whether intrusive or non-intrusive, often suffer from limitations such as low spatial and temporal resolution, structural complexity, or incompatibility with stack integration. This comprehensive review highlights the paradigm shift toward emerging flexible sensor technologies as a promising approach for in-situ, multi-parameter monitoring in PEMFCs. We systematically categorize and evaluate both non-intrusive and intrusive sensing strategies, detailing their operating principles, advantages, and limitations. Special emphasis is placed on flexible microsensors, which enable real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, pressure, gas composition, voltage, and current with minimal structural disruption. We further summarize recent advances of flexible sensors for in-situ monitoring in PEMFCs according to application scenarios. The transition from single-parameter sensing to multi-parameter integration, as well as from single-cell investigations to stack-level applications, is also discussed. Finally, we examine the trade-offs between sensor integration and fuel cell performance, and propose future research directions aimed at improving sensor durability, spatial resolution, and systemlevel integration for intelligent PEMFC management.
Surface engineering to construct low-coordination high-valence FLP on ZnFe2O4 with excellent stability and catalytic activity
Enpeng Chen, Mingwei Ma, Zixing Wang, Zhuobing Xiao, Fan Pu, Kaihui Ji, Shubo Jing, Ge Tian, Huijuan Yue, Shouhua Feng
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.009
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Frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) in metal oxides (e.g., spinel) show catalytic promise but face a trade-off between strong acidity and steric hindrance. Herein, we develop a high-temperature molten alkali etching strategy for engineering tetracoordinate iron sites (Fe3+Td) in ZnFe2O4, while using the Zn→O→Fe electron transport chain as a structural stabilizer. This spatially segregated FLP system features electron-deficient Fe3+Td (Lewis acid) and electron-rich O2- (Lewis base) sites that enhance substrate adsorption synergistically and reduce activation barriers in catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH). When applied to biomass-derived carbonyl compounds and representative aldehydes/ketones, the catalyst achieves >95% conversion of furfural to furfuryl alcohol (120 °C, 2 h), outperforming conventional systems. Furthermore, it maintains >95% activity over five cycles, demonstrating exceptional stability. Density Functional Theory calculations confirmed that the constructed, low-coordination, high-valent FLP has a stronger adsorption capacity for substrate and exhibits high hydrogenation ability with an activation energy of only 0.17 eV, which is far lower than that of the unconstructed sample (0.88 eV). This work breaks down the conflict barriers between high-valence and low-coordination states and provides a scalable novel strategy for designing strongly acidic, low-resistance FLP catalysts for sustainable chemistry.
Interfacial Engineering of Layered Cathodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries: Strategies, Mechanisms, and Perspectives
Juan An, Min Yang, Haohao Zhang, Mingyuan Pang, Zhen Kong, Laixin Hong, Jiajia Ye, Qianqian Yang, Hao Lin, Jiayu Qu, Jibin Song, Hongliang Li
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.010
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Layered transition metal oxides (LTMOs), with a unique two-dimensional framework, are research hotspots for sodium-ion battery (SIB) cathodes due to their high specific capacity, environmental benignity, structural tunability, and facile synthesis, showing great commercial potential for large-scale energy storage. However, their practical application is severely hindered by unique interfacial instability challenges during long-term Na+ (de)intercalation. These include interface strain induced by the larger radius of Na+ ions, transition metal dissolution, lattice oxygen loss, and interface cracking caused by phase transitions such as P2-O2 or O3-P2. Collectively, these issues lead to drastic capacity fading and poor electrochemical performance. Interfacial engineering is pivotal for regulating electrode-electrolyte interface properties, effectively mitigating side reactions and enhancing LTMOs stability and performance. Representative strategies include surface modification, elemental doping, multiscale structural regulation, and electrolyte/interface engineering approaches, while their practical application is restricted by material-specific limitations, unclear synergistic effects, and scalable fabrication challenges. This review summarizes recent advances in interfacial engineering for LTMOs cathodes, focusing on modification mechanisms of key strategies. It discusses how these approaches address interfacial instability, outlines current challenges, and proposes future directions for synergistic optimization, providing theoretical guidance for high-performance, long-life LTMOs cathodes in SIBs.
Enhanced oxygen bubble detachment from electrolytic iron anode by regulated micro-nano structures
Xin Wang, Haitao Yang, Qingshan Zhu, Qingping Chai, Xiaoyun Chen, Yingbo Wang, Xiaogang Lin, Tongtong Zhang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.019
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This study addresses the issue of increased energy consumption caused by bubble adhesion during the oxygen evolution reaction in electrochemical ironmaking anodes. By constructing a femtosecond laser-processed micro-nano porous array structure on the anode surface, rapid and spontaneous bubble detachment was achieved. The wetting characteristics, bubble behavior, and electrochemical performance of electrodes with different structures were systematically investigated. Results show that a microporous array with a pore size of 50 μm optimally balances bubble nucleation density, detachment behavior, and active surface coverage. The electrode achieves an OER potential of 1.24 V at 50 mA·cm-2, which is 9% (120 mV) lower than that of conventional dimensionally stable anodes, along with shorter bubble detachment time and excellent potential stability. Furthermore, multiphysics modeling confirms that the beneficial micro-convection generated during periodic bubble detachment enhances the limiting current density of mass transfer. This work provides new insights and a theoretical foundation for the development of efficient, low-energy green electrochemical ironmaking technologies.
Sulfur Poisoning in Catalytic Reactions of Gaseous Pollutants: Mechanistic Insights and Sulfur-Tolerant Catalyst Design
Jianghua Huang, Heming Wang, Haotian Hu, Dongxu Zhou, Jiafeng Wei, Shuchen Liu, Ning Liu, Fukun Bi, Xiaodong Zhang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.012
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Sulfur poisoning remains a critical challenge for catalytic systems in gaseous pollutant abatement, as the strong chemisorptive affinity of SO2 and its derivatives toward active sites, along with the formation of thermodynamically stable sulfates, severely disrupts redox processes and leads to irreversible deactivation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of sulfur deactivation mechanisms in catalytic reactions of VOCs, CO, and NOx, highlighting competitive adsorption, formation of metal sulfides or sulfates, and poisoning effect of intermediate products. Mechanistic insights and recent advances in sulfur-tolerant catalyst design are systematically summarized. Three key strategies are highlighted: (i) interface engineering and defect design, which tailor electronic structure, charge transfer, and oxygen vacancy density to regulate sulfur-metal interactions; (ii) active component modulation, including bimetallic coupling and rare-earth incorporation, which stabilize redox cycles and suppress irreversible sulfate accumulation; and (iii) structural optimization of catalyst supports, involving high-surface-area porous architectures, protective core-shell or layered configurations, and finely tuned surface acid-base properties to enhance both sulfur resistance and reactant accessibility. The insights summarized herein are expected to guide the rational design of next-generation sulfur-tolerant catalytic systems, enabling sustained performance under realistic sulfur-containing conditions.
Unveiling the Metal-Oxide Interface as a Prerequisite for Structural Sensitivity in CO2 Hydrogenation on Ni Catalysts
Hui Kang, Yanlin Zhang, Xin Xiao, Lixuan Ma, Jie Deng, Xu Wang, Junshan Li, Yuefeng Liu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.016
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Supported nickel (Ni) catalysts are widely utilized in industrial CO/CO2 hydrogenation for methane production. However, their structural sensitivity presents a significant challenge to productivity. While larger Ni particles generally favour methane formation, unsupported Ni nanoparticles (even at the micrometre scale) fail to efficient CO2 methanation. In this study, we engineered TiO2@Ni-x catalysts by depositing TiO2 onto Ni surface, along with conventional Ni/TiO2 and unsupported Ni nanoparticles (Ni-p), to explore the synergy of multi-sites in CO2 hydrogenation. The TiO2@Ni-x achieved 90.1% methane selectivity at 400 °C, while CO dominated on both Ni-p and Ni/TiO2. Temperature programmed experiments, in-situ infrared spectroscopy and theoretical modelling results revealed that TiO2@Ni-x with metal-oxide interfaces integrate excellent capabilities for H2, CO2, and CO adsorption and dissociation, enabling a complete hydrogenation pathway and high CH4 selectivity. The reactivity of CO intermediates is predominantly governed by the abundance of Ni-TiO2 interfaces and the formation of Ni-C-O-Ti bridge configurations, rather than isolated Ni surfaces. In contrast, despite having interfaces, conventional Ni/TiO2 suffered from strong metal- support interactions (SMSI) with limited H2
Monolithic ceramsite with interpenetrating-network MgMnO3 shell for green catalytic ozonation of antibiotics in freshwater/marine aquaculture wastewater
Manqin Fu, Yi Lu, Jingsong Luo, Zhong Fang, Long Chen, Xixi Chen, Chun He, Huinan Zhao, Shuanghong Tian
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.014
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Heterogeneous catalytic ozonation shows great promise for advanced wastewater treatment, yet powdered catalysts face practical limitations of poor recoverability and low matrices interference resistance. To address this, we developed a reusable monolithic MgMnO3@CM catalyst by anchoring active MgMnO3 components onto lightweight centimeter-scale ceramsite (CM) via impregnation-assisted sol-gel method. The morphology and electronic structure of MgMnO3 shell was modulated by controlling the concentrations of Mg and Mn precursor, and an active interpenetrating-network configuration was achieved. This unique shell architecture and interfacial interactions endowed MgMnO3@CM with exceptional mass transfer channels and redox properties, enabling superior catalytic ozonation of refractory sulfamethoxazole (SMZ). The catalyst achieved a high reaction rate constant (0.266 min-1) and increased mineralization efficiency from 22.5±1.0% to 69.4±1.4%. Crucially, a MgMnO3@CM-packed filter maintained an average SMZ rejection of 93.5% across diverse coexisting matrices (mg/L level) during continuous 12-hour operation, demonstrating sustainable potential for treating real freshwater and marine aquaculture wastewater. Mechanistic studies revealed MgMnO3@CM modulated surface atomic oxygen (*O)-driven non-radical oxidation pathways. This work provides a green engineering strategy for designing efficient, waste-free catalytic systems to support sustainable aquaculture.
Architectural design of ceramic membranes to decouple mechanical strength and gas permeance for energy and environmental sustainability
Shiying Ni, Jiaofan Sun, Dong Zou, Zhaoxiang Zhong, Weihong Xing
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.013
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Asymmetric silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic membranes exhibit significant potential for high-temperature ultrafine particle capture in industrial applications, which showed great prospects in energy and environmental areas. However, the high permeance and high strength of the ceramic membranes are often difficult to obtain simultaneously. The traditional asymmetric ceramic membranes composed of particle stacking have better mechanical strength, while their high mass transfer resistance leads to lower gas permeance. Increasing the overall porosity of ceramic membranes can effectively reduce the mass transfer resistance, but their relatively lower strength is not conducive to industrial applications. Herein, we propose a phase inversion strategy to create a defect-free and high-porosity membrane layer on a rigid macroporos support. This innovative structural design enhances the gas permeance and mechanical strength of the ceramic membrane simultaneously. The resulting ceramic membranes exhibited excellent gas permeance between 385.2 to 447.3 m3·m-2·h-1·kPa-1 with average pore size ranging from 3.26 to 3.89 μm and a bending strength exceeding 20 MPa. Notably, the Darcy permeability coefficient of the ceramic membrane prepared in this work was more than twice that of the widely recognized commercial Pall Schumalith filter (with a pore size of 5 μm) from the authoritative Pall Corporation. The computerized tomography (CT) results indicated that the membrane layer possessed high connective internal channels. Furthermore, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation was employed to verify the substantial superiority of the high porous finger-like pores in reducing the mass transfer resistance. Additionally, the SiC membranes presented a superior removal efficiency of over 99.93% and an excellent regeneration performance when capturing nano-sized particles with ultrafine particles at high temperatures, demonstrating satisfactory potential in ultrafine particle capture at extreme environments.
Pr tuning the electronic structure of Pt cluster-on-(Ni-PrF3) nanoparticle supported on carbon for highly efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution and methanol oxidation reactions
Chunmei Xiahou, Weiwei Zhu, Ting Xiong, Zhiqing Yang, Hengqiang Ye, Lihua Zhu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.005
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Fuel cells are a highly promising class of energy conversion devices, with the potential to address the growing global demand for sustainable power. In this work, a Pt/Ni-PrF3/C electrocatalyst was synthesized by incorporating PrF3-doped nickel particles, which notably enhanced catalytic performance for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). In 1.0 mol L-1 KOH, the catalyst exhibited a low overpotential of 77.7 mV at 100 mA cm-2 for the HER, and achieves an overpotential of 68.7 mV in simulated seawater (1.0 mol L-1 KOH + 0.5 mol L-1 NaCl). Meanwhile, in 1.0 mol L-1 KOH + 1.0 mol L-1 CH3OH, it achieves a high mass activity of 4.58 A mgPt-1 toward MOR. The combination of experimental characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the introduction of Pr promotes charge transfer and optimizes the adsorption free energy of *H intermediate, yielding a value closest to zero, which indicates optimal adsorption strength. This synergistic modulation not only enhanced HER activity by facilitating the Tafel step via a downshift in the d-band center of Pt, but also improved MOR performance. Specifically, the enhanced selectivity toward the CHOOH pathway effectively suppresses *CO accumulation, mitigates CO poisoning, and contributes to the improved activity and stability observed during the MOR. Overall, this study proposes a rare-earth-mediated strategy using Pr-doped Ni to modulate the electronic structure of Pt, offering an effective route for designing advanced electrocatalysts for energy conversion applications.
Synergistic effect of oxygen vacancies and S-scheme charge transfer mechanism in 0D/1D CdS/MoO3-x heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production coupled with highly selective benzyl alcohol oxidation
Jiayu Tian, Qiyuan Wang, YuChen Dong, Xiangjiu Guan, Liejin Guo
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.006
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Constructing an S-scheme heterojunction is a wise strategy to promote the separation of photogenerated carriers in photocatalysis, while efficient charge transfer of the S-scheme heterojunction is governed by the intimate interfacial contact of constructing photocatalysts. In this work, an S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst was developed by anchoring cadmium sulfide nanoparticles on molybdenum oxide nanowire with oxygen vacancies (0D/1D CdS/MoO3-x), and was demonstrated to exhibit efficient co-production of hydrogen and high-value chemicals, with an apparent quantum efficiency of 31.2% for hydrogen production in the absence of noble-metal cocatalyst and selectivity of 99.95% for benzaldehyde generation. Comprehensive characterization and theoretical analysis demonstrated that the excellent photocatalytic performance originated from the synergistic interaction between oxygen vacancies and the S-scheme heterojunction. Specifically, the introduction of oxygen vacancies significantly enhanced the strength of the built-in electric field established and facilitated the local charge redistribution at the S-scheme interface, promoting the rapid migration of photogenerated carriers for efficient hydrogen production. Moreover, oxygen vacancies in MoO3-x provided improved electron-accepting ability, thereby promising highly selective benzaldehyde generation by promoting the adsorption and desorption of active intermediates from benzyl alcohol. This work provides valuable insights for enhancing the efficiency of photocatalytic hydrogen production coupled with the selective conversion of high-value organic compounds.
Proton-gradient-regulated biomass microfluidic FeNiCu/CW electrodes enabling integrated decontamination and deionization of hypersaline landfill leachate
Yurong Su, Junle Zhang, Xianfu Zheng, Ruige Li, Xinchang Pang, Ziyi Wang, Xue Li, Hao Sheng, Xuanyue Cui, Ran Hu, Menghao Zhu, Baocheng Yang, Weichang Xu, Wenjie Zhang, Xia Sheng
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.008
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Hypersaline landfill leachate remains difficult to treat because high ionic strength screens interfacial electric fields and destabilizes coordinated contaminant removal and desalination. A proton gradient regulated integrated decontamination and deionization system (IDDS) is presented using biomass derived FeNiCu carbonized wood microfluidic electrodes. A programmable dual to single electrolysis sequence serves as the carrier of proton regulation, generating a dynamic H+ field that reconstructs the electric double layer within confined microchannels and converts bulk screened electrolysis into compact layer gated interfacial control. In the dual cell stage, proton enrichment compresses the double layer and sustains an oxidation selective interface that concentrates the effective oxidative flux within the •OH and SO4-• manifold while suppressing chlorine radical branching by stabilizing chloride predominantly in nonradical counter ion states. After membrane removal, relaxation of the proton field enables bulk ion repartitioning, followed by alkaline inversion that locks divalent ions through irreversible sinks including hydroxide precipitation with concomitant anion co capture, completing stepwise desalination. Treating real leachate, the IDDS achieves 82% COD removal, 99.9% NH4+-N removal, and approximately 90% conductivity reduction at a low specific energy consumption of 0.058 kWh m-3. Proton gradient gated interfacial reconstruction, implemented through staged electrolysis in microfluidic biomass electrodes, therefore provides a general blueprint for economically scalable purification of hypersaline wastewaters without chemical dosing.
Synergistic effect of PtNi alloy and N-doped carbon on selective electrocatalytic hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone
Guo Huang, Ruixue Zhao, Jinliang Zhu, Hao Wang, Yanrong Liu, Xiaoyan Ji
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.004
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Cyclohexanone is an essential intermediate in nylon production and serves as an effective solvent for resins. Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of phenol, a lignin derivative, provides a green and efficient route to cyclohexanone. However, developing catalysts that simultaneously achieve high selectivity, yield, and Faradaic efficiency for cyclohexanone remains a challenge. Here, we report an N-doped, hydrophilic carbon-supported PtNi alloy catalyst (PtNi/NC), which achieves 98% phenol conversion within 75 min, 93.8% cyclohexanone selectivity, and a Faradaic efficiency of 52.1% under mild conditions, and shows a low apparent activation energy of 31.6 kJ mol-1. The superior catalytic activity and high selectivity are attributed to the synergistic effects of the PtNi alloy structure, N-doping carbon matrix, and improved hydrophilicity of the support. This work presents a rational design strategy for developing efficient electrocatalysts for the selective production of cyclohexanone and the valorization of lignin-derived phenolic compounds.
High-Current Alkaline Water Electrolysis under Fluctuating Renewable Power: Challenges, Mechanisms, and Electrode Innovations
Linchuan Cong, Wenjun He, Shan-Li Yu, Changli Wang, Eugenia Angelica, Yuxin Xie, Yong Zuo, Cheng Tang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.007
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Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) represents a critical technological pathway for large-scale green hydrogen production. However, conventional electrode materials and operational strategies are primarily designed for stable grid conditions and struggle to accommodate the fluctuation, intermittency, and randomness inherent to high-proportion renewable energy integration. When AWE systems are directly coupled with fluctuating power sources, the electrodes are subjected to multiple interrelated operational stresses involving steady-state high current densities, dynamic load variations, and frequent startup/shutdown cycles. These conditions induce intertwined failure mechanisms, including physical detachment, chemical corrosion, and structural reconstruction driven by reverse currents, which severely undermine operational stability and lifetime. This Perspective focuses on the degradation behavior of AWE electrodes under fluctuating renewable power, systematically elucidating the coupled physical and chemical damage mechanisms under high-current-density and dynamic conditions. Mitigation strategies are comprehensively summarized from the perspectives of structural engineering, interface regulation, intrinsic material design, and self-repairing approaches. Finally, future directions are proposed regarding the establishment of dynamic evaluation protocols, the development of advanced characterization techniques, and the integration of interdisciplinary methodologies. This Perspective aims to guide the paradigm shift in electrode design from “steady-state optimization” toward “dynamic durability”, providing theoretical insights and design principles for next-generation AWE electrodes compatible with fluctuating renewable power .
Bridging the development of high-performance sodium-ion Batteries by designing high-entropy layered oxide cathodes
Zhuocheng Zhan, Yi-Meng Wu, Qiong Xu, Bo-Xuan Zhang, Peng-Fei Wang, Zong-Lin Liu, Linlin Wang, Jie Shu, Ting-Feng Yi
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.003
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The rapid development of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) for large-scale energy storage has spurred the emergence of various cathode materials. Layered oxides are promising candidates due to their high specific capacity and process compatibility, but complex phase transitions during cycling cause structural degradation and capacity decay. Among numerous optimization strategies, the high-entropy approach represents an innovative design concept. By introducing five or more principal elements and leveraging synergistic effects to modulate the crystal field environment and electronic structure, this strategy provides new perspectives to suppress phase transitions and enhance cycling stability. This review summarizes the structural characteristics of typical layered oxides, outlines the fundamentals of high-entropy design, and highlights recent progress and electrochemical advantages of high-entropy layered oxide cathodes for SIBs. Current challenges and opportunities are identified, and future research directions are outlined to guide rational design and practical implementation.
Escalator-Inspired Self-Cycling Solar Evaporator with Synergistic Salt Resistance and Thermal Management
Sijie Cheng, Enyu He, Xiaoyu Liu, Rajaram S. Sutar, Ruimin Xing, Shanhu Liu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.002
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The solar-driven interface evaporation (SIE) technology presents a green and sustainable solution to the growing challenges of water resource scarcity. However, the salt crystallization and the thermal management are significant obstacles for the practical application of SIE. Herein, inspired by the transportation system of the escalator, a three-dimensional (3D) self-cycling evaporator (CDs-LR) with synergistic salt resistance and thermal management was fabricated by combining carbon dots (CDs) with the loofah rag (LR). The unique hydrophilicity, fibrous structure, and solar absorption properties allows the CDs-LR to achieve an exceptional evaporation rate of 5.21 kg·m-2·h-1. More importantly, photovoltaic panels, a charge controller, and a rechargeable battery were integrated with CDs-LR to design a self-cycling device. During the daytime, the device efficiently evaporates water while storing electricity generated by photovoltaic panels in the battery. At night, the stored electrical energy powers the evaporator, enabling automatic salt removal and redissolution. The results of the 400 h evaporation experiment in a 10 wt.% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution and the COMSOL simulation of salt ion concentration confirm its outstanding salt resistance. Furthermore, experimental results indicate that CDs-LR exhibits excellent wastewater purification and antibacterial capabilities, making it a promising solution to the global water shortage problem.
Recent Advances in High-Entropy Oxides: Composition Modulation, Morphology Control, and Catalytic Applications
Mingxia Wu, Lin Liu, Yu Wang, Siying Zhang, Shutong Liu, Jingxiang Low, Feng Fu, Jun Wan
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.05.001
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High-entropy oxides (HEOs) have emerged as a promising platform for advanced catalysis owing to their unique structural features, tunable elemental compositions, adjustable functionalities, and four typical synergistic multi-element effects. This review systematically covers HEOs from their fundamental definitions to practical applications, focusing on chemical composition modulation and morphology control through various synthesis approaches that enable precise tailoring of HEO structures. It also analyzes the catalytic performance of HEOs in thermocatalysis, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and their synergistic catalytic processes, highlighting their distinct advantages of high catalytic activity, abundant active sites, and exceptional stability. Finally, key challenges and future directions for HEO-based catalysts are outlined, aiming to inspire research efforts in the rational design of HEOs with tailored compositions and morphologies for specific catalytic applications.
Dual-scale structure engineering synergy enables high-areal-capacity and stable lithium-ion battery anodes
Huanyan Liu, Xiangjiang Liu, Hong Kang, Shichao Zhang, Wenbo Liu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.04.009
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The flourishing electrode materials such as metal oxides have been considered as potential substitutes for next generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, large stress concentration and inferior mass transfer upon repeated lithiation/delithiation severely compromises the structural integrity of the electrode, especially for high loading thick electrodes. In this work, inspired by the robust bionic thorny structure, we propose a dual-scale structural strategy that integrates macro-architecture with micro-interface to develop a unique yet stable 3D hollow-thorny CuxO/Cu electrode (3D HT-CuxO/m-Cu) with stable internal current collector-active material and exterior solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) interfaces. The dense and robust hollow-thorny structure endows the electrode with rapid mass transfer and stress buffering effect that can promote the reaction kinetics. More importantly, the inner semi-coherent Cu-CuxO interface enables exceptional structural stability and electronic conductivity of the electrode, whereas the exterior inorganic LiF-rich SEI contributes to unblocked Li+ transport. Therefore, the designed 3D HT-CuxO/m-Cu electrode exhibits outstanding Li+ diffusion capability (1.25 × 10-12 cm2 s-1). A high areal capacity of 1.84 mAh cm-2 is achieved even after 250 cycles at 1 mA cm-2. This study presents a powerful dual-structure engineering strategy to simultaneously mitigate stress concentrations and enhance mass transport, enabling advanced electrodes beyond LIBs.
Theoretical modeling and intelligent design of electrocatalysts for liquid lithium-sulfur batteries
Wentao Zhang, Wenwen Chai, Jiayi Sha, Wenjun Zhao, Ruiquan Yu, Haocheng Wang, Shuyu Zhou, Bindang Wu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.04.007
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Lithium-sulfur batteries are considered a highly promising next-generation secondary battery, but are limited by polysulfide shuttle effect. Electrocatalysis can mitigate polysulfide shuttle effect. Density functional theory (DFT) and machine learning (ML) have been applied to explore electrocatalysts for lithium-sulfur battery cathodes, making significant contributions to the virtual screening of promising cathode electrocatalysts and understanding of sulfur reduction reaction mechanisms. However, these latest developments have not been summarized in a timely manner. This article reviews the applications of DFT calculations and ML in exploring electrocatalysts for lithium-sulfur battery cathodes. DFT calculations are summarized from the perspectives of structural stability, electronic structure, ionic/molecule adsorption and diffusion simulation, and electrocatalytic activity to explore electrocatalysts for lithium-sulfur battery cathodes. The application of ML in exploring electrocatalysts for lithium-sulfur batteries is reviewed from the perspectives of enabling high-throughput screening of electrocatalyst candidates, guiding the synthesis optimization of promising candidates, and decoding the general structure-activity relationships from the accumulated data. The evaluation and validation of popular functionals is also discussed, and the selection of density functional methods, the uncertainty of computational tools, existing problems, and future development directions are analyzed. This work is expected to provide theoretical insights for the rational design and mechanism analysis of electrocatalysts for lithium-sulfur battery cathodes.
Smart materials in water governance: Pollution remediation, resource acquisition, and energy harvest
Xiaotong Li, Yingyi Gan, Yuan Lu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.04.010
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As global water scarcity and security challenges intensify, traditional water treatment materials struggle to meet practical demands due to their limited efficiency and single-functionality. Smart materials—particularly those with stimulus-responsive and adaptive properties—have emerged as promising alternatives, thanks to their dynamic functional regulation, environmental adaptability, and multifunctional integration capabilities. This review systematically examines the principles of smart materials from micro to macro scales, covering environmental sensing and output mechanisms, including pH, temperature, light, and magnetic responses, as well as self-cleaning and self-healing functions. It critically compares their performance in pollution remediation, resource recovery, and energy capture. The study highlights inherent limitations in current materials, such as reduced responsiveness in complex aquatic environments, insufficient long-term stability, functional conflicts, and scalability challenges. Furthermore, it explores forward-looking strategies to address these issues, including orthogonal multi-stimulus response design, performance validation under real-world conditions, environmentally friendly material alternatives, and integration with real-time sensing and artificial intelligence technologies. By evaluating material performance and summarizing future development directions, this review provides a systematic theoretical framework and practical guidance for developing next-generation smart water treatment systems that prioritize sustainable water security, resource recycling, and energy synergy.
Metabolic engineering strategies to improve microbial acetate utilization for chemical production
Guangjie Liang, Kaifang Liu, Cong Gao, Qi Sheng, Gan Qiao, Jia Liu, Guipeng Hu, Jens Nielsen, Liming Liu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.04.006
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Microbial cell factories have been established as an important platform for green biomanufacturing. However, current systems remain highly dependent on food-based carbon sources such as glucose, creating an industrial dilemma of “competing with humans for food and with agriculture for land,” thereby impeding large-scale industrial deployment. Acetate is considered a promising alternative carbon source that can circumvent these constraints and is broadly available from sources such as industrial off-gas conversion. In this review, the application potential of acetate as a carbon source is systematically summarized from four dimensions: acetate-assimilating microorganisms, metabolic engineering strategies for improving acetate utilization, metabolic engineering strategies for enhancing acetate tolerance, and metabolic engineering strategies for producing chemicals from acetate. In addition, the key challenges and future directions of acetate-based biomanufacturing are analyzed, providing a theoretical basis for industrial implementation.
Quantum-dot–mediated dual-defect interfaces enable high-efficiency solar purification coupled with hydrogen recovery
Haida Zhu, Hui Wang, Yuzhan Luo, Luping Tian, Zhaofeng Chang, Xiaohong Chen, Yiduo Chen, Yaohong Zhong, Zhiqun Xie, Zhiwei Jiang, Shujing Ye, Zongsu Wei, Kai Yan, Anqi Wang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.04.011
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Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and pollutant degradation are both promising strategies for clean energy production and environmental remediation, yet their integration for synchronous wastewater-to-energy conversion is fundamentally hindered by inefficient charge utilization and severe interfacial redox competition. Herein, a quantum-dot-bridged dual-defect interface engineering strategy is developed to synchronize photocatalytic oxidation and hydrogen evolution for wastewater-to-energy conversion. As a result, a hierarchical S-type heterostructure was constructed by integrating Ti3C2 MXene quantum dots with electron-storage capability, sulfur-vacancy-rich MoS2, and oxygen-deficient CeO2 (TMMC), which effectively accelerated interfacial charge transport. The optimized catalyst achieves a hydrogen evolution rate of 12.17 mmol g-1 h-1 with 98.6% norfloxacin removal and maintains high stability under continuous operation. In pollutant-containing systems, hydrogen production reaches 274.35 μmol g-1 h-1 and further increases to 405.93 μmol g-1 h-1 upon low-dose peroxymonosulfate addition. Mechanistically, Ce-O-Mo interfacial coupling induces asymmetric charge redistribution and a built-in electric field for directional carrier separation, while spatially separated sulfur and oxygen vacancies regulate proton reduction and oxidant activation, respectively, mitigating interfacial redox competition. This work establishes defect-coordinated interfacial engineering as a general paradigm for regulating charge utilization and reaction selectivity in integrated photocatalytic systems.
Atomically Bonded S-Scheme Heterojunctions with Photothermal–Pyroelectric Synergy for Efficient H2O2 Photosynthesis
Junhao Ma, Qincan Ma, Jinyuan Zhang, Shuang Fu, Ziyang Ren, Xianzhong Lin, Yongjin Li, Yueli Zhang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.04.008
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Solar-driven photocatalysis offers a sustainable pathway for energy conversion and environmental remediation, yet it is often hindered by inefficient charge separation and limited solar spectrum utilization. To address these challenges, this study introduces a novel design strategy by constructing a full-spectrum-responsive BiOBr/(Bi(Bi2S3)9I3)0.667 S-scheme heterojunction that synergistically integrates photothermal and pyroelectric effects. This design utilizes the narrow band gaps (Bi(Bi2S3)9I3)0.667 and localized surface plasmon resonance caused by oxygen vacancies as near-infrared response elements. Its inherent photothermal conversion capability provides an endogenous thermal field for the system, while the unique pyroelectric property of (Bi(Bi2S3)9I3)0.667 generates a spontaneous polarization electric field under temperature fluctuations, thereby directionally driving charge carrier migration and effectively mitigating thermal-induced recombination. Concurrently, an atomically precise interface formed via shared Bi atoms establishes an efficient S-scheme charge transfer pathway, further promoting carrier separation and prolonging carrier lifetime. As a result, the optimized photocatalyst exhibits an exceptional H2O2 production rate of 383.4 μmol g−1 h−1 and achieves efficient Cr(VI) reduction with a rate constant of 0.177 min−1, demonstrating its potential as a multifunctional photocatalytic material. This work opens a new avenue for developing high-performance photocatalysts through the integration of atomic-level interfacial bridging with endogenous pyroelectric polarization.
Modulating oxygen anion microenvironment of P2-type cathodes enables long-term cycling stability for high-voltage sodium-ion batteries
Jinxun Yu, Ling Chen, Haifeng Yu, Hujun Zhang, Qilin Cheng, Hao Jiang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.04.005
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NiMn-based P2-type layered oxides are promising high-voltage cathodes for power-type sodium-ion batteries, but the instability of oxygen anionic redox under high-voltage operation severely limits their cycling stability. Herein, we design and synthesize a durable P2-type Na0.67Ca0.02Ni0.27Zn0.01Mn0.55Ti0.12Mg0.05O1.99F0.01 cathode via a synergistic lattice-oxygen microenvironment regulation strategy that markedly enhances anionic-redox reversibility. The incorporation of Ni-O-Zn configurations, enabled by lower electronegativity of Zn2+, together with highly electronegative F- in O-TM-F bonding, weakens Ni3d-O2p hybridization and increases the electron density of lattice oxygen, thereby suppressing oxygen charge compensation at high states of charge. Meanwhile, Ca-O-Ni configurations partially replaces unstable nil (Na+ vacancies)-O-Ni upon deep Na+ extraction, restricting O2p hole formation to prevent irreversible oxygen dimerization and O2 release. These merits collectively alleviate structural degradation and interfacial parasitic reactions during long-term cycling. Consequently, the optimized cathode delivers a high reversible capacity of 135.1 mAh g-1 and a volumetric energy density of 1660 Wh L-1cathode within 2.0-4.4 V, approximately 1.3 times that of commercial LiFePO4. Moreover, it retains 94.5% of its initial capacity after 100 cycles at 1C, outperforming previously reported high-voltage P2 type cathodes.
Advances in Photocatalytic Biomass Valorization to Organic Acids Coupled with Reduction Reactions
Xiaoping Wang, Haixin Guo, Richard Lee Smith, Xinhua Qi
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.04.004
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The photocatalytic conversion of biomass derivatives into high-value organic acids and fuels represents a sustainable green synthetic strategy, playing a pivotal role in achieving carbon neutrality objectives. This review examines recent advances in the photocatalytic oxidation of biomass-derived platform molecules (such as sugars and alcohols) to produce high-value organic acids (including monobasic acid and polybasic acid). It further explores coupled pathways integrating with reduction reactions (such as H2, CO, and H2O2 production) to enhance charge carrier utilization efficiency and overall redox reaction synergy. Secondly, an in-depth analysis was conducted on the fundamental photocatalysis reaction mechanisms, including the direct oxidation of oxygen-containing functional groups in biomass-derived substrates, radical-mediated selective cleavage of C-C/C-H/C-O bonds, proton-coupled electron transfer, and electron-mediated reduction pathways. This elucidates processes including light absorption, charge carrier migration, substrate adsorption-activation, and surface dynamic evolution. Furthermore, this review highlights the optimization of catalyst design strategies, such as crystal plane defects, heterostructure construction, co-catalyst loading, and organic framework assembly, to enhance interfacial charge transfer kinetics and reaction dynamics. Finally, the challenges and opportunities in photocatalytic biomass upgrading were discussed, including the development of multifunctional photocatalysts, enhancing the coupling efficiency of redox reactions, and improving substrate specificity and product selectivity. The summary of innovative researches will further advance the application of photocatalytic technology in sustainable biofuels and green chemistry, providing crucial support for achieving efficient biomass valorization and environmental protection objectives.
The advantageous active sites construction and the electronic structure modification of cobalt-modified CeO2 for efficient solar-driven CO2 reduction
Xianxian Yang, Yixuan Hu, Jinman Yang, Haoyuan Yin, Yansheng Du, Minqiang He, Xiaojie She, Yanhua Song, Xingwang Zhu, Hui Xu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.04.002
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Converting CO2 into high-value-added products through photocatalytic technology is an effective approach to addressing the greenhouse effect and alleviating the energy crisis at present. In this paper, Co-doped CeO2 was successfully prepared using the oil bath plus calcination method to achieve efficient photocatalytic reduction of CO2. The introduction of Co provides advantageous active sites for the photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction system, enhancing the adsorption of CO2 molecules. Meanwhile, DFT calculations show that the introduction of Co can efficiently regulate the charge distribution to achieve electron localization, enhancing the activation of CO2 molecules. Additionally, it can accelerate the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers, significantly improving the photocatalytic activity of CO2 reduction. The CO yield of Co/CeO2 is 19.50 μmol g-1 h-1, which is 12 times that of the CeO2 monomer, and this catalyst has good stability. This research provides a new idea for doping metal oxides with metal elements for the efficient reduction of CO2 in photocatalysis.
Robust interfacial layer stabilizing phase transition of high-voltage spinel cathode
Bokun Zhang, Yan Li, Jiguo Tu, Jing Wang, Xiaocui Xie, Shuqiang Jiao
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.04.003
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High-voltage spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) stands out as a promising candidate for next-generation high-performance lithium-ion batteries, offering high energy density and cost advantages. Nevertheless, its practical application is hindered by critical challenges, such as surface instability and detrimental side reactions with electrolytes at high voltages, which lead to rapid capacity fading. Herein, an ultrathin, dense LiF interfacial layer (~2 nm) is successfully constructed on the surface of the truncated octahedral LNMO particles (F-LNMO) via a facile fluorination approach. This modification strategy effectively suppresses lattice oxygen loss and direct interaction between the electrolyte and highly reactive Ni/Mn species, drives the critical shift in the Li1 → Li0.5 phase transition pathway from a two-phase reaction to a more stable solid-solution reaction, and triggers the formation of the dense and uniform cathodeelectrolyte interphase (CEI) layer during cycling, thereby reducing transition metal dissolution. The as-prepared F-LNMO material demonstrates exceptional cycling stability, with a remarkable capacity retention of 92.7% after 300 cycles, and improved ion diffusion coefficient of 8.92 × 10-10 cm2 s-1. These findings highlight the critical role of artificial interfacial engineering in optimizing high-energy-density LNMO cathode materials with improved stability and rate performance.
Potential High-Performance Electrodes of Mn-Based Materials for Aqueous Zinc-ion Battery: from Material Design to Mechanism Study
Siying Wang, Yidi Liu, Haiding Zhu, Xuefeng Ren, Anmin Liu, Xifei Li, Chong Peng
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.024
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To address the energy crisis and environmental pollution caused by the use of fossil fuels, there is an urgent need for rechargeable energy storage devices. Among them, aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have gained significant attention as a promising energy storage solution due to their cost-effectiveness, safety, and high performance. However, the search for suitable cathode materials to enhance the energy and power density of aqueous zinc-ion batteries is still ongoing. This review provides a detailed summary of recent advancements in Mn-based materials as cathode materials for ZIBs, with a focus on the energy storage mechanisms of Mn-based materials. It highlights current research efforts on modification strategies, including pre-intercalation strategies, defect engineering, construction of composite materials, and structural and architectural design of manganese compounds. By further subdividing these modification approaches, the review aims to provide a deeper understanding of the development status of Mn-based materials. Additionally, the limitations and future prospects of Mn-based materials for ZIBs are discussed. This study aims to offer guidance for the design of high-performance Mn-based materials and inspire further innovation in ZIBs research.
Engineered Mo-O-Fe active centers for Efficient and Stable Overall Water Splitting along the Lattice-Oxygen Mechanism
Jinqiu Shi, Min Wang, Luwei Peng, Xi Luo, Jiajun Meng, Jianfeng Xu, Jinli Qiao
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.015
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The covalency of the metal-oxygen (M-O) bond is significantly enhanced in the transition metal sites with high oxidation states, thereby enabling the lattice oxygen-mediated mechanism (LOM) to break the traditional linear scaling limitations of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Here, an innovative MoO2 surface is designed to adjust the covalency of Fe-O bond in NiFe layered double hydroxide (NiFe-LDH), which results in the formation of Fe-O-Mo bridge with high valence Fe species for OER along the LOM. The MoO2-modified NiFe-LDH anchored on nickel foam, shows a 3D nanoflower-like heterostructure of interwoven porous nanosheets, which exposes abundant active sites, boosts charge transfer, and modulates the reaction microenvironment via heterojunction and confinement effects. This designed architecture shows excellent bifunctional catalytic activity, manifested by low overpotentials for HER (131 mV) and OER (226 mV) at 10 mA cm-2, respectively. The overall water electrolyzer verifies the device-level application potential assembled with MoO2/NiFe-LDH@NF as both cathode and anode, and achieves a low cell voltage of 1.650 V at 0.5 A cm-2 and stable operation for over 700 hours.
Defect-Engineered MOF-Derived NiCu@C Catalysts: Cu-induced Ni Particle Size Modulation for Selective Transfer Hydrogenation of HMF
Meng Wen, Xi-Yu Xu, Zhi-Ping Zhao
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.04.001
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Regulation of the selective hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is crucial for the targeted valorization of biomass resources. Herein, a dual-defect engineering strategy termed “cooperative evolution of ligand and metal-node defects” was adopted to directionally derive carbon-shell-encapsulated NiCu@C catalysts from MOFs by sequentially introducing 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) ligand vacancies and metal-node defects (Cu species), enabling hydrogen-free selective hydrogenation of HMF. Meanwhile, Cu incorporation generates oxygen vacancies, and enables precise tuning of Ni diameter (10.07∼13.75 nm) and carbon-shell thickness (0.81∼2.32 nm), achieving cooperative optimization among defects, particle size, and shell dimensions. Research reveals that Ni particle size serves as the dominant factor in regulating HMF hydrogenation selectivity, which synergizes with secondary factors including defect density and shell thickness to enable efficient HMF conversion. At 0.2 mol/L HMF, a maximum yield of 99% DMF or 70% BHMF can be achieved by regulating the catalyst and reaction system. Kinetic investigations reveal that increasing particle size kinetically favors C=C hydrogenation, steering selectivity toward BHMF, whereas size reduction exclusively drives C=O hydrogenation with high yield and pinpoint DMF formation, thereby establishing a quantitative “size-pathway-product” correlation. Besides, a novel correction function was proposed to refine the kinetic model. Finally, the intrinsic active sites of catalysts with different particle sizes were correlated with DMF yield, and the reaction pathway of HMF hydrogenation over NiCu0.05@C-1 was verified.
Gas Diffusion Electrodes for Sustainable Energy Conversion and Chemical Synthesis
Yu Zhang, Jie Li, Panyong Kuang, Jiaguo Yu, Qian Sun, Zhenhai Wen
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.014
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Gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) are emerging as a transformative platform for electrochemical energy conversion and sustainable chemical synthesis. By enabling efficient electrochemical reactions involving gaseous species, such as CO2, CO, N2, O2, and H2, at well-defined gas-liquid-solid interfaces, GDEs fundamentally overcome the intrinsic mass-transport constraints inherent to conventional aqueous electrodes, thereby enabling industrially relevant current densities unattainable in traditional configurations. Structurally, GDEs integrate a functional catalyst layer with a porous gas diffusion layer (GDL), allowing continuous and regulated delivery of gaseous reactants to active sites while stabilizing three-phase interfaces and tailoring local reaction microenvironments. These features collectively enhance reaction kinetics, product selectivity, and energy efficiency across diverse applications, including CO2 electroreduction, water electrolysis, fuel cells, and electrochemical H2O2 synthesis. This Perspective provides a critical analysis of recent progress in GDE materials, architectures, and interface engineering, with an emphasis on uncovering the mechanistic foundations of their operation. On this basis, we highlight unresolved challenges and propose emerging design principles aimed at realizing adaptive, durable, and scalable GDE platforms. We further discuss key research directions necessary to translate fundamental advances into practical, industrially relevant electrochemical technologies that support a carbon-neutral energy and chemical economy.
Data driven intelligent research and development of gel electrolyte: methods, challenges and cutting-edge trends
Yuanchuan Ren, Renjie Huang, Shiyong Zhao, Xuejun Zhu, Yuhang Lin, Tingfeng Su, Cheng Wang, Nanqi Ren
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.027
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As the core component of flexible energy storage and electronic devices, the research and development of gel electrolyte has long been limited by the inefficiency of the traditional trial and error method in exploring the complex component structure performance relationship. The data-driven intelligent research and development paradigm is leading the field towards a rational acceleration stage of design validation by integrating high-throughput experiments, multi-scale computing, and artificial intelligence technology. This review systematically elaborates on the core methods, key challenges, and cutting-edge trends of this paradigm. At the methodological level, we focused on the construction of standardized databases (integrating literature data, high-throughput experiments, and molecular simulations), the establishment and application of machine learning models (such as graph neural networks for quantitative structure-activity relationship prediction and generative models for reverse engineering), and a closed-loop experimental design strategy centered on Bayesian optimization, aiming to synergistically optimize multiple properties such as ion conductivity, mechanical strength, and electrochemical window. The article deeply analyzes the core challenges currently faced, including the scarcity and heterogeneity of high-quality data, the lack of interpretability of complex models leading to difficulties in analyzing physical and chemical mechanisms, and the limitations of model migration and generalization between different electrolyte systems and performance indicators. Finally, we look forward to the cutting-edge development trends, including the cross scale prediction model integrating multi-scale simulation and experimental data, the autonomous laboratory to realize the automation of the whole process of design synthesis characterization optimization, and the construction of gel electrolyte digital twins to achieve life-cycle performance monitoring and optimization. The purpose of this review is to provide a clear roadmap for researchers in the cross field of materials science, electrochemistry and data science, and promote the research and development of gel electrolyte into a new era with data and intelligence as the core driving force.
Unlocking lattice oxygen mediation in a multi-functional electrocatalyst for concurrent energy-efficient electrooxidation and hydrogen evolution
Ting Li, Xiao Hu Wang, Xiao Hui Chen, Chen Yu Yang, Qi Xiao, Hong Qun Luo, Nian Bing Li
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.026
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The lattice oxygen-mediated mechanism (LOM) offers a promising pathway to break the scaling relations limit of the conventional adsorbate evolution mechanism (AEM), presenting a general strategy for enhancing the kinetics of not only the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) but also a wide range of other electrooxidation reactions. This is because the LOM can activate electrophilic oxygen species, which are capable of efficiently attacking chemical bonds. However, the electronic structure tailored for activating lattice oxygen often renders the catalyst surface incompatible with the adsorption/desorption of hydrogen intermediates, posing a fundamental dilemma for developing versatile electrocatalysts. This study constructs an all-in-one electrocatalyst using an in-situ corrosion (CoRu-Cu2O/CF). The dopant of Ru activates lattice oxygen, leading to the transformations of the OER mechanism from AEM to LOM, which is boosting OER. Simultaneously, the LOM-based catalyst demonstrates notable advantages in other electrooxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, urea, methanol, hydrazine, and ammonia. And the introduction of Ru can enhance the adsorption capability of H intermediates, benefiting the HER. This work presents a strategy that successfully achieves compatibility between the LOM mechanism and H adsorption/desorption equilibrium, offering a scalable approach in the water electrolysis, direct methanol fuel cells, direct ammonia fuel cells, and the electrosynthesis or degradation of organic compounds.
Ni–Mo Interfacial Electronic Transfer and Acid-Site Coupling Drive Carbon-Backbone-Retentive Hydrodeoxygenation of Fatty Acid Esters under Mild Conditions
Zihang Wang, Yujing Wu, Jinliang Yan, Zhiyu Li, Hui Zhou, Peng Fu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.023
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Biodiesel, a renewable and carbon-neutral fuel, offers a sustainable alternative to petroleum diesel. However, its widespread application is hindered by the need for energy-intensive deoxygenation processes that often degrade the carbon backbone of fatty acid esters. This study presents a non-noble NiMo/HBeta bifunctional catalyst for the complete conversion of methyl stearate under mild conditions (190 °C), achieving 92.53% selectivity toward C18 alkanes and a high HDO/DCO (hydrodeoxygenation/(decarboxylation + decarbonylation)) ratio of 12.38, outperforming previously reported catalytic systems. Mechanistic insight reveals that atomically dispersed Niδ+–MoOx sites enable directed electron transfer from Ni to Mo. This creates a synergistic interface where Ni activates H2 while Mo polarizes the C=O bond, lowering the barrier of the HDO pathway to 1.76 eV and kinetically favoring carbon-retentive deoxygenation. Concurrently, Mo reshapes the acid properties by suppressing strong Brønsted sites, establishing a Lewis-acid-dominated microenvironment that selectively cleaves C–O bonds while inhibiting C–C scission. This work elucidates how interfacial electronic synergy and tailored acidity cooperatively steer reaction pathways, offering a design principle for efficient biomass upgrading under mild conditions.
Synergistic Electron–Proton Modulation in Donor–Acceptor Polymers for NADH Regeneration and CO2-to-Glycerol Conversion
Guohua Li, Xiaodi L, Wei Zhang, Di Cai, Hui Cao, Zehan Yao, Tõnu Pullerits, Kaibo Zheng, Tianwei Tan
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.025
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Photochemical regeneration of NADH is essential for bioinspired redox catalysis but remains limited by inefficient electron-proton coordination. We report a donor-acceptor conjugated polymer system with rhodium centers, where electron-donating substituents (-OH, -OMe, -Me) can modulate both photo-induced charge behavior and surface reaction properties. The optimal -OH subsitutents can, on one hand, enhances dielectric screening and planarity of the polymers to, reduce the exciton binding energy and facilitate charge injection to the rhodium active centers. On the other hand, its hydrophilicity further promotes proton migration, enabling synchronized and co-localized two-electron/one-proton donation to NAD+ at the rhodium centers. Therefore, the optimized -OH-containing polymer achieved selective photoreduction of NAD+ to 1,4-NADH at a rate of 12.81 mmol g-1 h-1, which is one of the highest levels reported to date to our knowledge. Integrated into a photo-electro-enzyme cascade, the system synergistically couples NADH regeneration with enzymatic catalysis to achieve the first conversion of CO2-derived aldehydes into glycerol, highlighting its potential for sustainable carbon valorization. This work establishes a facile strategy to regulate both electron and proton donation in organic photocatalysts and expands their application in solar-driven biotransformations.
Engineering LDH-Derived LiCoMnO4 Spinel/MXene Heterostructures via a Dual-Tuning Strategy for Efficient Lithium Extraction from Low-Grade Brines
Tianqin Huang, Pengrui Sun, Ruiqi Yong, Yan Wang, Ying Zhao, Chuhan Huang, Wei Zhou, Lifeng Ding, Lu Guo, Xianfen Wang, Meng Ding
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.019
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Electrochemical lithium extraction from low-grade salt lake brines is a sustainable approach to reliable and cost-efficient lithium supply, yet it is hindered by sluggish diffusion kinetics and the severe interference from competing Mg2+ ions. This study proposes a “dual-tuned” strategy to engineer a high-performance electrode by simultaneously optimizing the intrinsic crystal architecture and the extrinsic conductive network. First, nanosized LiCoMnO4 (LCMO) spinels (∼100 nm) were synthesized via a topotactic transformation from ultrathin Co-Mn-layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursors, effectively shortening ion diffusion paths. Second, these nano-spinels were integrated with Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets to construct a 3D conductive framework that accelerates electron transport. The optimized 50%LCMO/MXene electrode achieved a superior lithium adsorption capacity of 188.55 mg g–1 (4.45 mmol g–1) and remarkable stability (87.6% retention over 200 cycles). Mechanistic investigations via ex-situ XPS and DFT revealed a distinct adsorption pathway: Li+ undergoes bulk intercalation driven by reversible lattice volume evolution, while Mg2+ is restricted to surface accumulation. Moreover, DFT analysis reveals that the Mn environment remains remarkably rigid. This local electronic rigidity minimizes the Jahn-Teller effect and Mn dissolution, providing a fundamental structural explanation for the electrode’s enhanced durability.
Where to go for the chemical designs of P2 phase Mn-based sodium cathodes?
Rui Huang, Shaohua Luo, Zhaozhan Shi, Lixiong Qian, Xin Liu, Shengxue Yan
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.017
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P2 Mn based cathode materials has become one of the most promising candidate cathode materials due to its high specific capacity, suitable operating voltage and low-cost advantages, but its practical application is still limited by challenges such as high-voltage phase transition, Jahn-Teller effect, Na+/vacancy ordering and air sensitivity. So far, a comprehensive summary study of the corresponding mechanisms and design principles for modification design is still lacking. Based on the multi-scale ontological relationship analysis, this review firstly constructs the systematic research framework of P2 Mn based cathode materials, elucidates the constitutive relationship between the transition metal interlayer slip barrier-oxygen stacking sequence and the thermodynamic origins of the irreversible phase transition, and reveals the influence of the lattice doping-surface passivation synergistic regulation strategy on the dynamic coupling mechanism of the coordination distortion and the lattice oxygen activation in Mn3+. At the same time, it provides the theoretical support for deciphering the degradation of the air stability. In addition, this work examines the direction of elemental doping and surface/interfacial engineering to overcome the limitations in capacity and cycling stability, as well as the optimized design of low temperature cathode/electrolyte interface, aiming to summarize the design principle, mechanism and electrochemical performance. Finally, the modified design of such cathode materials is summarized, the existing key scientific issues of these materials are pointed out, and the direction of development in the near future is proposed.
Coordination-Driven Highly Active Bi-(Et3N)0.3 for Selective Cleavage of Lignin Cβ-O-4 Bond via Fluidized Electrocatalysis
Jingjing Shi, Yanju Lu, Xincheng Cao, Feng Long, Junming Xu, Zupeng Chen, Jianchun Jiang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.016
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The development of a mild and efficient electrocatalytic system for lignin depolymerization via selective cleavage of aryl ether bonds to produce high-value-added chemicals is highly attractive yet remains challenging. Herein, we report a crystalline phase reconstruction strategy for the synthesis of heterogeneous Bi-(Et3N)0.3 catalyst with rich defect sites and high-valence Bi species, which, when coupled with a fluidized phosphotungstic acid (HPW) electrolyte, achieves 100% conversion of the 2-phenoxy-1-phenylethanol model compound and a phenol yield of up to 60.7%. The Faraday efficiency (FE) reached 89.3%, outperforming existing state-of-the-art lignin electrocatalytic systems. Comprehensive in situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and density functional theory (DFT) results confirm that the high-valence Bi species is beneficial in promoting the rapid activation of the protons (H+), while the rich-defect sites derived from the crystal phase reconstruction between Bi-O and Bi-N-C coordination optimize the adsorption-activation of oxygen-containing intermediates. Moreover, the HPW electrolyte with a low dissociation energy barrier ensures an abundant proton supply, while the ion-rich groups ([PW10VIW2VO40]5−) further induce the progression of the reaction. By manipulating the variation of current density, the dissociation efficiency of H+ and [PW10VIW2VO40]5− of HPW were modulated, enabling the controllable switching of the phenol generation pathway. Through the rational design of an efficient electrocatalytic system and the optimization of the electrolyte microenvironment, the targeted and efficient cleavage of lignin Cβ-O-4 bonds has been achieved, enabling the production of high-value-added chemicals.
Oxygen vacancy-rich MoOx enables selective C-C bond cleavage for boosted glyceric acid production from xylose
Xiao Feng, Lidong Xia, Xianglong Zhang, Wenlong Jia, Huai Liu, Dan Li, Zhicheng Jiang, Rui Zhang, Lincai Peng
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.021
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The oxidation of inexpensive sugars into high value glyceric acid holds considerable appeal, yet faces a fundamental challenge in achieving precise cleavage of the target C–C bond, resulting in inefficient catalysis. Herein, a MoOx-N2 catalyst rich in oxygen vacancies (Ov) was successfully constructed via a self-assembly and two-stage annealing process. The developed catalyst efficiently converted xylose into glyceric acid under alkali-free conditions, achieving an excellent yield of 54.3% (0.905 mol/mol). Catalyst characterizations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed that Ov promote charge transfer between MoOx-N2 and H2O/O2, accelerating the generation of active ·OH and 1O2 species, thereby enhancing the xylose oxidation efficiency. Furthermore, Ov induced an upshift in the d-band center of electron-rich Mo, favoring the adsorption and activation of xylose and glyceraldehyde intermediate, significantly lowing the energy barriers for cascade ring-opening, C–C bond cleavage and oxidation reactions. DFT calculations further revealed that Ov benefited the removal of proton in C3–OH of xylose, subsequently facilitating selective C2–C3 bond cleavage and ultimately achieving high yield of glyceric acid. This work highlights the pivotal role of Ov in enhancing the catalytic efficiency of xylose oxidative conversion, providing an efficient strategy for glyceric acid production.
Advanced Aqueous Electrolytes toward Better Aluminum-ion Batteries: A Comprehensive Review
Xueao Jiang, MingYang Xin, Long Zhao, Yang Lv, Qiyou Wang, Weijian Liu, Baoshan Xie, Yanjie Ren, Hao Li, Jian Chen
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.013
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Rechargeable aluminium-ion batteries are emerging as promising next-generation energy storage systems, benefiting from the high mass/volumetric energy density, low cost, and intrinsic safety of Al anodes. However, their practical deployment is hindered by the limitations of conventional non-aqueous electrolytes, including moisture/oxygen sensitivity, cost, and toxicity. Aqueous aluminium-ion batteries (AAIBs) offer a compelling alternative, with advantages in cost, safety, and environmental impact. Yet, the scarcity of suitable electrolytes, particularly those capable of supporting reversible three-electron Al3+/Al redox chemistry, poses a major obstacle to commercialization. Meanwhile, developing low-cost, chemically/electrochemically stable electrolytes capable of functioning across diverse temperatures remains a critical challenge and a central research direction for advancing AAIB technology. This review comprehensively surveys advances in AAIB electrolytes, focusing on high-concentration electrolytes systems for electrochemical stability, hydrogel electrolytes that mitigate degradation through solid-phase confinement, and hydrated eutectic electrolytes for wide-temperature operation. In particular, we delve into the latest innovations in AAIB electrolyte design, provide a comprehensive perspective on current opportunities and unresolved hurdles, discuss the strengths, limitations, and potential solutions for each electrolyte type, while outline future pathways for the development of AAIB electrolytes.
Assembling lignin carbonized polymer dots with bimetallic layered hydroxides to bridge water purification and zinc-ion storage
Pengfei Zhou, Jun Guo, Shenao Yuan, Shiman Chen, Yuanchen Zhu, Xiao Xiao, Feng Peng, Jikun Xu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.022
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Achieving multifunctional lignin-based carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) with controlled structures lie at the forefront of energy-environmental materials, yet tackling the structure-activity relationship is needed to optimize the assembling design in diverse applications. Here we report a bifunctional dot-sheet heterostructure of intercalating lignin-CPDs into layered double hydroxides (CoNi-LDH) to link Fenton-like water purification and zinc-ion hybrid capacitors (ZIHCs). The amino-functionalized CPDs hold the binding abilities of metal-ions over a wide concentration, posing the potentials to coordinate bimetallic hydroxides. Benefiting from high graphitization and conductivity, the green-emitting CPDs are paired with CoNi-LDH to enhance the interlayer spacing, rapid ionic-inserting transfer, and reversible chemical adsorption. In a three-electrode system, the CoNi-LDH@CPDs exhibit an ultrahigh specific capacitance of 1553.2 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 with excellent rate performance (70.82% capacitance retention at 10 A g−1). Thanks to the optimized geometric and electronic structure, intensified active sites and specific surface area, the CoNi-LDH@CPDs can activate percarbonate to eliminate antibiotic (∼94.44%) via reactive oxygen species and direct electron transfer paths over the entire pH of 3−11, with a robust stability of up to 82.16% even after ten consecutive cycles. After a low-temperature functionalization, the phase transition of layered metallic oxides (CoNi-LMO) is taken place onto the CPDs, which expedites high conductivity and abundant redox active sites to serve as the cathode of ZIHCs. It delivers a superior energy density of 122.97 Wh kg−1 at 1050 W kg−1 with a potential window of 2.1 V, and a long-term cycling durability of 98.89% even at a current rate of 20 A g−1. Our work not only advances the synthesis of CPDs from renewable lignin but also provides the insights into optimizing CPDs-intercalated LDH materials for multifunctional pollutant dissociation and energy storage.
Multi-scale research on coal chemical wastewater treatment: Pollutant molecules, technologies, and process integration
Yirong Feng, Jianxin Shi, Qingya Wang, Bingxiao Feng, Yongqing Wei, Wei He, Hengjun Gai
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.020
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The coal chemical industry serves as an indispensable element in the fabric of the global energy system. However, the wastewater generated from its production processes exhibits high chemical oxygen demand, high toxicity, and poor biodegradability, which poses a considerable challenge to the industry’s ecological sustainability. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in treatment technologies for coal chemical wastewater (CCW) through a “pollutant molecules–technology–process integration” framework analyzed from micro- to macro-scale perspectives. It begins by delineating the complex chemical composition of CCW and identifying key toxic substances, thereby clarifying the current challenges in treatment processes and establishing a micro-scale foundation for technological development. The review then highlights solvent extraction, grounded in intermolecular interactions, as a core method for recovering phenolic compounds. This is followed by an in-depth analysis of the performance and mechanisms of biological treatment and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for the deep removal of refractory organic pollutants. Finally, from a macro-scale perspective, the integration of pretreatment, biological treatment, and AOPs into systematic frameworks trains is discussed. A thorough understanding of the molecular characteristics of pollutants is crucial for developing efficient treatment technologies. Moreover, system-level integration via process intensification and technological synergy is considered essential for achieving efficient purification and resource recovery from CCW.
Highly Active and Robust Cr-Doped Co3O4 Electrocatalyst for Acidic Oxygen Evolution via H-Receptor-Mediated Mechanism
Wenbo Liu, Zhipeng Xiang, Muzi Yang, Guifa Long, Zhicheng Hu, Kai Wan, Zhiyong Fu, Zhenxing Liang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.018
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Developing efficient and durable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts for acidic media is vital for advancing proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) but remains highly challenging. In this work, a lattice-engineered Cr-doped Co3O4 (Cr0.3-Co2.7O4) electrocatalyst is constructed and achieves high activity and robustness for acidic OER. Spectroscopic and theoretical analyses reveal that Cr preferentially substitutes Co3+ octahedral sites to form “CrO6” units and transfers charge from Cr to the coordinated O atoms, activating them as intrinsic proton receptors. This unique functionality enables the formation of a bridged *O-O-H-O* intermediate, which circumvents the scaling relationship in the adsorbate evolution mechanism and accelerates OER kinetics. Meanwhile, Cr incorporation strengthens neighboring Co-O bonds, preserving structural integrity under acidic conditions. As a result, the Cr0.3-Co2.7O4 electrocatalyst delivers an overpotential of 404 mV at 50 mA cm-2, outperforming commercial IrO2 (417 mV). In a PEMWE, it delivers 200 mA cm-2 at 1.71 V with 500 h continuous operation and only 18 μV h-1 degradation. This work establishes lattice engineering of intrinsic proton-accepting motifs as a viable strategy for designing efficient, durable and noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for acidic OER.
Progress in Catalytic Metal-Zeolite composites for VOCs Abatement: A Comprehensive Review
Fengshi Meng, Yiwen Wang, Shunzheng Zhao, Fengyu Gao, Xiaolong Tang, Honghong Yi, Qingjun Yu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.012
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Amid the current environmental context, as the issue of VOCs control becomes increasingly severe, catalytic oxidation technology has emerged as a hot research direction in the industry. Meanwhile, research on composite multifunctional materials is on the rise, with metal-zeolite composites, as a novel type of multifunctional material, receiving widespread attention. This review systematically summarizes the roles and research progress of zeolites and their metal-loaded derivatives in VOCs purification, focusing on their applications as adsorbents, catalytic oxidation catalysts, and adsorption-catalytic oxidation multifunctional materials in processes such as adsorption, catalytic oxidation, and in-situ coupled adsorption-catalytic oxidation. It reviews the latest advancements in zeolite-based VOCs purification technologies, analyzes the bottlenecks and challenges they face, and proposes future research directions, aiming to provide insights for researchers in related fields.
Nanoconfinement Engineering of MOF-Derived-Hollow-Heterojunctions Towards Enhanced Photocatalysis
Gao Xiao, Weihan Chen, Liyin Chen, Xiaobing Yang, Wanglai Cen, Longhua Zou, Samson Afewerki, Junling Guo
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.008
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Rational heterostructure design, tailored architectures, and enhanced charge dynamics are key factors for developing efficient photocatalysis for environmental remediation. In this study, we employed a metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived strategy to construct hollow polyhedral bimetallic sulfide heterojunctions (Co9S8/Ag2S) via nanoconfinement engineering. ZIF-67 is transformed into an amorphous cobalt sulfide scaffold, followed by in-situ growth of Ag2S nanoparticles and subsequent annealing. This process yields a well-defined heterostructure with intimate interfacial contact, facilitating efficient charge separation and transfer. Under UV light irradiation, the Co9S8/Ag2S heterojunction achieves a photocatalytic tetracycline degradation efficiency of 99.3%, significantly outperforming most other different photocatalyst systems. Comprehensive mechanistic studies reveal that a built-in electric field and nanoconfinement effects synergistically modulate the charge transfer dynamics. Density functional theoretical (DFT) computation results have also shown that the electrons were tended to flow from Co9S8 to Ag2S until a new equilibrium was established over the interface. The intensity of overlap between Co, Ag and S elements across the Fermi level (Ef) was enhanced compared with that in Co9S8 or Ag2S, which means that the heterojunction formation facilitated charge transfer between Co9S8 and Ag2S. Overall, this work advances photocatalyst design and illustrates the potential of MOF-derived heterostructures for efficient, sustainable water treatment applications.
Ultrathin Bismuth-Based Composite Nanosheets with Synergistic [Bi2+-VO]/VN Dual-Defect Engineering and g-C3N4 Modification for Solar-Driven Photocatalytic Antibiotic Degradation
Jingyue Hu, Yuanting Wu, Ruihua Gao, Lihui Guo, Guanjun Chen, Hulin Liu, Ou Hai, Xinmeng Zhang, Yunlong Xue, Yongqiang Feng
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.010
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Synergistically coupling complementary vacancy pairs with an ultrathin framework provides a promising yet underexplored route to robust photocatalysts for water purification. Herein, we report the synthesis of ultrathin SBBC (Bi12SiO20-Bi2O3-BiOCl-Bi2SiO5)/g-C3N4 (CN) nanosheets (SBCN-6) in which surface [Bi2+–VO] defect centers are deliberately paired with nitrogen vacancies (VN), thereby uniting dual-defect chemistry with an ultrathin framework. Electron-sequestering [Bi2+–VO] clusters introduce deep trap states, which robustly capture photoexcited electrons generated in SBBC. VN sites in CN serve as efficient electron-trapping centers that significantly suppress internal electron-hole recombination within CN, and this combined action accelerates visible-light redox reactions. This synergistic dual-defect network, comprising [Bi2+–VO] in SBBC and VN sites in CN, significantly enhances charge separation. Density Functional Theory (DFT) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) unveil a type-Z/type-II hybrid transfer cascade: SBBC (VB) → [Bi2+–VO] → SBBC (CB) → CN (CB) ← [VN] ← CN (VB). Under visible-light irradiation, the photocatalyst exhibits exceptional activity in degrading refractory antibiotics, achieving a high apparent rate constant (k) of 0.129 min-1 for tetracycline (93% degradation in 120 min) and removing 91% of ciprofloxacin in 120 min. Moreover, it rapidly degrades the Rhodamine B dye, with over 99% removal within just 30 min. It also retains excellent recyclability over multiple cycles and outperforms most reported Bi-based photocatalysts. Coupling dual-defect engineering with morphology control, this study advances the mechanistic exploration of defect-mediated catalysis and furnishes a valuable reference for constructing visible-light photocatalysts that simultaneously degrade dyes and antibiotics.
Cu-tuned Bifunctional CoMoP catalysts for Electrocatalytic Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural and Co-production of Hydrogen
Yuanjie Li, Xudong Hu, Ben Wang, Yujiao Lin, Haoyi Zhang, Caixia Feng, Jieshan Qiu, Yanmei Zhou
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.011
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The electrocatalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) for the green production of bio-based 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and hydrogen offers a sustainable pathway for utilizing biomass resources efficiently, in which the design and fabrication of electrocatalysts with tuned structure and properties is the key yet remains a big challenge. Herein, we report on the synthesis of Nickel foam supported CoMoP electrocatalysts with tuned electronic structure and enhanced adsorption capacity for HMF via a Cu-regulation strategy by making use of hydrothermal and low-temperature phosphating method (Cu@CoMoP/NF). The as-made Cu@CoMoP/NF catalysts were shown to be active for the electrocatalytic oxidation of HMF and the simultaneous production of hydrogen. The HMF oxidation reaction (HMFOR) coupled with the hydrogen evolution reaction occurs at a low cell voltage of 0.94 V at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 achieving 100% HMF conversion and 99.57% yeild of FDCA. It has been found that copper plays a critical role in Cu@CoMoP/NF, where Cu sites exhibit a marked electron-withdrawing behavior, promoting excited-state electron delocalization and inducing an upward shift in the d-band center. The coordinated electronic effects synergistically enhance the HMF adsorption at active sites while substantially lowering the kinetic barrier for subsequent transformations. This work may provide a promising strategy for the HMFOR and hydrogen production over Cu-tuned electrocatalysts and beyond.
Engineering Micropores in Biochar from Waste Cow Dung for Hydrogen Storage: Structure, Capacity, Kinetics and Mechanistic insights
Jiancheng Hong, Caizhu Liu, Jieying Jing, Haowei Liu, Ruiqi Wang, Ying Li, Yuxiang Zheng, Yuhua Wu, Jianbo Wu, Hui Zhang, Hongcun Bai
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.009
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The resource utilization of massive amount of cow dung (CD) generated from modern animal husbandry is crucial for sustainable development. Converting CD into porous biochar for energy storage represents a promising strategy for high-value utilization. However, the application of CD-derived biochar for efficient hydrogen-storage remains challenging, primarily due to the difficulties in the controllable fabrication of microstructures and the unclear structure-performance relationship. To address these issues, this work presents a synthetic strategy involving KOH activation coupled with ultrasound-assisted technology to fabricate porous biochar from CD with tailored microporous structures. The optimized biochar exhibits ultra-high specific surface area of 2850 m2·g–1 and large pore volume of 2.31 cm3·g–1, leading to a remarkable hydrogen uptake capacity of 4.08 wt% at 77 K and 40 bar. A strong linear correlation was established between hydrogen storage capacity and micropore surface area, underscoring the critical role of micropores, especially at low pressures. Furthermore, first-principles calculations reveal enhanced H2 binding with N/O heteroatoms. RDG and EDA provide qualitative and quantitative insights into the physical adsorption nature. Finally, kinetics calculations with several adsorption and diffusion models confirm rapid hydrogen diffusion and equilibrium within biochar, highlighting its excellent kinetic performance for practical hydrogen-storage.
Hierarchically Porous UiO-66-Fe with Coordinatively Unsaturated Bimetallic Sites for High-Efficiency Selective Oxidation of Hydrogen Sulfide
Guanqing Zhang, Yongfang Qu, Qiliang Zhu, Fujian Liu, Lilong Jiang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.007
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Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a toxic and corrosive gas, poses significant environmental and health risks. The selective catalytic oxidation of H2S to elemental sulfur has emerged as an attractive and sustainable solution for purification. In this work, a facile, template-free approach is developed to synthesize hierarchically porous UiO-66-Fe (HP-UiO-66-Fe) featuring abundant coordinatively unsaturated Fe/Zr dual-metal sites. The controlled competition between water and acetic acid as modulators directs the formation of the hierarchical pore architecture, while the asymmetric coordination between Fe and Zr generates numerous coordinatively unsaturated sites. The resulting HP-UiO-66-Fe demonstrates exceptional catalytic performance in H2S oxidation, achieving complete H2S conversion and nearly 100% sulfur selectivity across a broad temperature window. Through integrated structural characterization and catalytic performance evaluation, we reveal that the outstanding activity originates from the synergistic interplay between the unsaturated Fe/Zr bimetallic sites and the hierarchical porous framework, which collectively promote reactant activation, facilitate mass transport and strengthen sulfur poisoning resistance. This study not only presents a highly efficient catalyst for H2S abatement but also proposes a general design strategy for engineering multifunctional MOF catalysts via coupled bimetallic defect creation and pore-structure regulation.
Rare earth metal-organic framework catalysts: properties, synthesis, characterizations, and application
Liming Wang, Shunzheng Zhao, Xiaolong Tang, Qingjun Yu, Fengyu Gao, Huiting Ming, Qiyu Li, Honghong Yi
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.003
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Among numerous metal-organic frameworks, rare earth metal-organic frameworks (RE-MOFs) have garnered significant attention across various catalytic fields. As a special class of MOFs, they exhibit high and tunable coordination numbers, diverse crystal structures, strong Lewis acidity, and excellent optical behavior—properties intrinsically linked to their outstanding catalytic performance. This paper presents a comprehensive review of RE-MOFs in catalysis, focusing on their synthesis and modification strategies, advanced characterization techniques, and specific applications. Solvothermal synthesis remains the prevalent method for preparing RE-MOFs, though more environmentally friendly approaches have emerged in recent years. Defect engineering enhances active sites and porosity, doping alters coordination types between organic ligands and metal ions, while MOF-on-MOF structures induce internal charge redistribution and electronic structure modifications—all effective strategies for boosting catalytic activity. Different characterization techniques are required to investigate the oxidation states of rare earth elements and the MOF structures. We list several key characterization methods that best demonstrate their features. Finally, this paper comprehensively summarizes the active sites provided by RE-MOFs and their catalytic principles across various reactions in fields such as energy conversion, environmental remediation, and organic chemistry. This review aims to provide theoretical guidance for designing highly efficient RE-MOF catalysts.
Cellulose Nanofiber-Based Nanofiltration Membranes for Sustainable Water Purification
Ge Li, Xinchen Xiang, Yunlong Cui, Xiaolu Ni, Kailun Zou, Guozhong Shi, Zhikan Yao, Lin Zhang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.006
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Although nanofiltration (NF) membranes enable energy-efficient molecular separations critical for sustainable ecosystem, their conventional fabrication from petrochemical polymers raises end-of-life environmental concerns. Cellulose nanofiber (CNF), as a biodegradable and renewable biomass material, offers a promising green alternative for NF membrane production. However, fabricating dense NF membranes from highly concentrated CNF suspensions remains challenging due to their high viscosity and poor film-forming properties. In this work, we overcame these limitations through an acidification-assisted process that disrupts the CNF gel network, enabling improved processability. Subsequent crosslinking with glutaraldehyde and thermal-induced formation yielded a robust and dense NF membrane with tailored nanostructure. The optimized membrane exhibited effective separation performance, achieving approximately 90% rejection of Na2SO4 and 99.4% removal of humic acid while maintaining a water flux over 20 L·m-2·h-1. This work proposes a sustainable fabrication route for high-performance nanocellulose membranes, establishing a renewable alternative to conventional petrochemical-based water purification filtration materials.
Synergistic design of O2/O3 composite Li-rich cathodes: A novel strategy for high-performance Li-ion batteries
Wangwei Ren, Qiang Lu, Dezhi Yan, Shichao Zhang, Puheng Yang, Zhe Zhang, Feiyue Zhai, Shuai Yin, Yiyuan Yan, Shen Liu, Guowei Liao, Qianfan Zhang, Xingjiang Liu, Yalan Xing
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.005
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Due to their unique anion and cation redox mechanisms, Li-rich Mn-based layered oxide cathodes are considered extremely promising candidates for next-generation high-performance Li-ion batteries. However, their practical applications are limited by capacity degradation, voltage degradation, and poor rate performance. In this work, an O2/O3 composite Li-rich cathode was constructed by integrating nanoscale O3 particles on the surface of O2 microspheres. By combining the inherent excellent voltage retention of the O2-type structure with the nanostructured O3 rate advantage, the O2/O3 composite cathodes exhibit excellent specific capacity, cycling stability, and rate performance. Thanks to the synergistic effect of O2 and O3, the obtained composite cathode has a high discharge specific capacity of 298.06 mAh g-1 at 0.1C. It maintains 85.34% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 0.5C and still delivers a discharge specific capacity of 144.64 mAh g-1 at 5C. Based on experiments and theoretical calculations, the potential impact of the O2/O3 interface on electrochemical performance is elucidated. The built-in electric field at the two-phase interface plays a crucial role in structural stability. The O2/O3 composite cathode developed in this study holds potential to advance the development of high-performance Li-ion batteries.
Biomass-engineered graphitic carbon nitride: structure modulation, charge dynamics, and photocatalytic applications
Yuan Xue, Sheng Liu, Yujuan Guo, Yanjun Zhang, Zushun Xu, Yongxing Zhang, Guangfu Liao, Qing Li
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.002
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Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a metal-free, environmentally sustainable semiconductor photocatalyst characterized by its well-defined layered structure, tunable electronic structure, and exceptional optical properties. To address the inherent limitations of g-C3N4 that impede its practical application and development, researchers have devised diverse modification strategies, spanning nanostructure engineering, elemental doping/defect introduction, and heterojunction construction. This review underscores the multifaceted synergistic effects derived from the structural diversity of biomass during modification processes. These integrate three core components: (i) Utilizing the unique chiral architecture and abundant functional groups for morphological control (ii) Band structure engineering through biomass-derived unique skeletons and multi-element induced defect formation and (iii) Constructing heterojunctions with unique interfacial effects by integrating biomass materials of different dimensional architectures. Furthermore, synergistic modifications enable atomic-scale lattice engineering with capabilities beyond those achievable by traditional inorganic precursors. Subsequently, we also introduce the applications of biomass-derived modifications in regulating g-C3N4 photocatalysts toward addressing energy conversion and environmental remediation challenges. Finally, we delineate the promising trajectory of biomass-engineered g-C3N4 photocatalysts, envisioning their expanded deployment in energy conversion systems through synergistic integration with emerging technologies.
Z-Scheme Heterojunction-Enabled Superoxide Radical Dominance in BiO2-x-Bi2O2CO3 Photocatalyst for Efficient Organic Pollutant Degradation
Xia Zhang, Peng Zhang, Li Chen, Fan Mo, Zikang Xu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.004
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Heterojunction photocatalysis holds great significance for low-cost and efficient environmental remediation processes, particularly for addressing persistent antibiotic contamination. Here, BiO2-X-Bi2O2CO3 heterojunction photocatalysts are fabricated via a low-temperature solvothermal epitaxial growth method. The intimate interfacial contact between the BiO2-X nanoparticles and the epitaxially grown Bi2O2CO3 nanosheets was detected, which endows the heterostructure with significantly enhanced visible-light activity. The photocatalytic properties of the optimized composite, BiO2-X-Bi2O2CO3-20, are investigated in detail toward tetracycline (TC) degradation. The superior charge carrier dynamics is confirmed to be vital to enhanced performance, as evidenced by PL spectroscopy and transient photocurrent analysis, which collectively indicate that the heterojunction effectively suppresses electron-hole recombination and promotes charge transfer. Mechanistic studies, including ESR and radical trapping experiments, validated a Z-scheme charge transfer pathway, which ensures the preservation of the strong reducing (e- at -0.75 eV) and oxidizing (h+ at 2.51 eV) potentials. This preserved high energy (∼3.26 eV) promotes the generation of the superoxide radical (·O2-), conclusively identified as the dominant active species responsible for the high efficiency. This work introduces a robust Z-scheme method for Bi-based photocatalysts, which is ready to extend to other heterogeneous systems and offers a new option to design high-performance catalysts for efficient antibiotic-contaminated wastewater treatment under visible light.
In-situ Encapsulation of Pt and Acid-Site Engineering in Hierarchical SAPO-11 for Enhanced Isomerization-cracking and Anti-Coking in Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production
Xiaokang Yue, Yufeng Hou, Luyao Xie, Fei Han, Zhongxu Zhang, Qingxin Guan, Wei Li
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.03.001
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Isomerization-cracking is a critical step in the preparation of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The practical application of conventional Pt/SAPO-11 catalysts is hampered by several deactivation mechanisms: metal sintering, pore blockage, and inefficient mass transfer of bulky molecules, all contributing to unsustainable performance over time. To overcome these challenges, this study introduces a novel Pt@SAPO-11-H catalyst, where sub-nanometric Pt clusters are encapsulated within a hierarchically porous SAPO-11 framework. The synthesis employs a ligand-assisted in situ encapsulation strategy with P123 as a mesoprogen. Beyond constructing hierarchical porosity, a critical secondary role of P123: the formation of amorphous AlPO4 during crystallization, which selectively covers strong acid sites on SAPO-11. This acid-site engineering effectively suppresses excessive cracking, a key factor for maximizing SAF yield. Comprehensive characterizations confirmed the confinement of Pt clusters, the hierarchical pore structure, and the moderated acidity. Catalytic evaluation using octadecane as a model feedstock, achieving a 66.4% SAF yield with a 4.12 i/n ratio. The SAF yields of cottonseed oil, castor oil, palm oil, and tiger nut oil reached 82%, 70.2%, 79%, and 80% respectively. These results highlight the dual benefits of hierarchical porosity for enhanced diffusion and metal encapsulation for precise active site localization, offering a promising solution for scalable SAF production.
Syngas-Promoted Selective Catalytic Hydrogenolysis of Cellulose into C6-Ketones
Zhiyang Tang, Xianyuan Wu, Jie Qu, Xinjun He, Fukun Li, Jinxing Long, Qiang Zeng, Haixia Su, Hongyan He, Xuehui Li
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.02.003
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Selective hydrogenolysis of cellulose into C6-ketones offers a promising route for the production of high-value carbonyl compounds. However, conventional metal-catalyzed hydrogenolysis methods typically rely on externally added acids and require high-purity H2. Herein, we report an alternative syngas-promoted hydrogenolysis method that eliminates these dual dependencies while enabling the selective transformation of cellulose into value-added C6-ketones. Under optimal conditions, using a commercial Pd/C catalyst at 230 °C and 3.0 MPa total pressure (H2/CO = 1.5/1.5 MPa) for 2 h, the yield of C6-ketones reached 37.8 C-mol%, representing a 6.8-fold enhancement compared to that obtained under pure H2. Mechanistic studies demonstrated a dual promotional effect of CO in directing cellulose to C6-ketones. First, competitive adsorption of CO on Pd active sites suppresses excessive hydrogenation and undesired hydrogenolysis of cellulose-derived intermediates. Second, CO participates in the water–gas shift (WGS) reaction (CO + H2O ⇌ CO2 + H2), generating carbonic acid (H2CO3) in-situ via CO2 + H2O ⇌ H2CO3, which provides a controllable acidic environment that promotes key intermediate transformations associated with C6-ketone precursor formation.
Recent Advances in Biomass-Based Monolithic Carbon Materials: Preparation and Energy, Environment Applications
Yuzhu Yang, Runqing Wang, Pengchen Wang, Long Shi, Zhongde Dai, Junfeng Zheng, Lu Yao, Dengrong Sun, Wenju Jiang, Lin Yang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.02.004
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Biomass-derived carbon materials (BC) have demonstrated significant promises in fields such as adsorbents, catalysts/catalyst supports, energy storage, and gas storage due to their versatile properties such as developed pore structure, outstanding electrical conductivity, and mechanical stability. In recent years, biomass-derived monolithic carbon materials (BMC) have garnered increasing attention. By overcoming the limitations of traditional powdered BC materials—such as operational difficulties, high usage losses, and safety concerns, thus significantly expanding the research scope of BC. In this paper, the recent advances in BMC materials−including the synthesis strategy and their applications in energy storage (including energy storage, electrochemical catalysis) and environmental remediations (pollution control, carbon capture, et al.) −have been reviewed comprehensively for the first time. At last, the remaining challenges and new outlooks on the research of BMC have also been proposed. It is expected that this review paper would assist the reader working on BMC and interested newcomers to acquire concise and systematic information as well as contribute novel ideas over a wide spectrum of disciplines.
MOFs@aerogel composite materials for air pollutant control: preparation strategies, interfacial synergistic mechanisms and governance applications
Chaofan Xiao, Fengyu Gao, Yu Xia, Tingkai Xiong, Honghong Yi, Qingjun Yu, Shunzheng Zhao, Yuansong Zhou, Xiaolong Tang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.01.009
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Greenhouse gas emissions are exacerbating global climate change, while excessive air pollutants also pose a serious threat to the environment and human health. Innovative breakthroughs in environmental functional materials are urgently needed for the efficient management of gaseous pollutants, and the composite strategy of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and aerogels provides an important direction for the development of advanced environmental materials by integrating the high specific surface area and tunable active sites of MOFs with the three-dimensional mass-transfer network of aerogels. In this paper, the construction strategy of MOFs@aerogel composite system and the optimization mechanism are systematically reviewed, focusing on the analysis of the material properties and composite effects. Theoretical calculations and free radical characterization have clarified the collaborative mechanism of material interfaces, while component evolution and stability analysis have revealed the prospects of composite materials in practical environmental governance applications. In the field of gas treatment, the composite material mainly presents three types of application directions: firstly, adsorption-oriented applications (e.g., adsorption trapping of CO2); secondly, catalytic-oriented applications (e.g., catalytic reduction of NOx); and thirdly, synergistic adsorption and catalytic application (e.g., VOCs degradation). By analyzing the material properties, common gas pollutant management scenarios, and quantitative performance comparisons of the materials. It is found that the synergistic effect of composites can significantly enhance the CO2 adsorption capacity, NOx catalytic activity and VOCs degradation efficiency. However, the unknown interfacial mechanism, insufficient dynamic stability and high scale-up cost are still the bottlenecks. In the future, it is necessary to combine the development of low-carbon processes and breakthroughs in in situ characterization technology to promote the transformation of this system from laboratory research to industrial applications.
Artificial Intelligence‐Driven Discovery and Design of Solid-State Hydrogen Storage Materials
Yuyi Chu, Yanxin Li, Yanxi Lyu, Di Zhang, Hao Li, Weijie Yang, Jianqiu Li, Liang Zhang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.01.007
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the discovery and optimization of solid-state hydrogen storage materials, a cornerstone of a scalable hydrogen economy. However, interdependent trade-offs among capacity, operating conditions, and cycling stability still limit progress. This Review surveys AI-assisted advances in metallic hydrogen storage through the co-design of features and models. We consolidate descriptor sets that fuse intrinsic crystal, electronic-structure, and thermodynamic properties with extrinsic experimental conditions. We also systematically summarize machine-learning approaches for performance prediction, physics-informed simulation, and materials and process optimization. We additionally describe AI-driven platforms that integrate curated datasets, forward–inverse modeling, workflow orchestration, and user-facing tools for high-throughput screening and synthesis-aware decision-making. Looking ahead, interpretability, cross-scale modeling, and large language model driven closed-loop discovery will accelerate the practical deployment of solid-state hydrogen storage.
Construction of Bi2Fe4O9/MXene Schottky heterojunction: synergistic charge transfer for efficient photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin
Zizhen Wu, Zhao Wang, Jun Shi, Huiping Deng
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.02.002
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MXene has become an emerging two-dimensional layered material of significant interest in the field of photocatalysis. Introducing Ti3C2-MXene at the semiconductor interface has become a promising strategy for enhancing the photocatalytic performance through charge carrier separation. In this study, a Bi2Fe4O9/1%Ti3C2 (BFT-1) Schottky heterojunction photocatalyst was successfully synthesized to efficiently remove ciprofloxacin (CIP) from water. Under visible-light irradiation for 50 min, the degradation of CIP by BFT-1 reached 85.7% (k = 0.032 min−1), which was 1.6 times that of the pure Bi2Fe4O9 (BFO). The morphological characterization and photoelectrochemical analyses confirmed the successful synthesis of BFT-1. The Schottky heterojunction facilitated electron transfer and inhibited carrier recombination. Meanwhile, the BFT-1/Vis system demonstrated good adaptability to various environmental substrates in water. The BFT-1 photocatalyst also exhibited excellent stability and reusability over multiple cycles, along with minimal metal ion leaching. This research demonstrated the great potential of the BFT-1/Vis system as an efficient solution for the treatment of antibiotic-contaminated wastewater.
Unlocking Efficient Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Fatty Alcohol via Self-Promoted Hydrophobic Interfacial Microenvironment
Ruiqi Du, Shiyan Wang, Yuhan Sun, Zemao Chen, Kaizheng Zhang, Binhang Yan, Zheng Liu, Yi Cheng
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.02.001
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Electrocatalysis offers a promising solution for the oxidative valorization of fatty alcohols, showcasing reaction mildness and sustainability. However, the intrinsically low solubility of fatty alcohols in aqueous electrolyte presents severe mass transfer barriers, thus impeding the efficiency of electrocatalytic oxidation processes. In this study, we develop an electrolyte engineering strategy that avoids exogenous additives. By utilizing the amphiphilic fatty acid anions, we construct a “self-promoted” hydrophobic interfacial microenvironment. This design significantly enhances the oxidation rate of fatty alcohols on gold electrocatalysts while simultaneously ensuring high-purity products. Specifically, the addition of potassium octanoate (KC8) into 1 mol L-1 KOH results in a 3-4 fold increase in terms of current density and productivity for octanol oxidation, underscoring substantial practical potential. Mechanistic studies reveal that KC8 modifies the electrical double layer structure, effectively repelling interfacial water and disrupting the hydrogen bond network, thereby enhancing interfacial hydrophobicity. The hydrophobic microenvironment subsequently promotes the enrichment of octanol reactants at the interface, leading to improved adsorption coverage on the electrode. The “self-promoted” strategy established in this work represents a cost-effective method for interfacial microenvironment modulation, offering inspiration for the development of efficient organic electrocatalytic processes involving hydrophobic reactants.
Tailoring Charge Dynamics via Cu-Doped TiO2/g-C3N4 S-Scheme Composites for Solar Hydrogen Evolution
Chunxia Wang, Yanxin Sun, Zhuo Wang, Yifeng Zeng, Qin-Yi Li, Xinchen Kang, Guoyong Huang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.01.008
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Copper (Cu) doping modifies the band structure of TiO2 by slightly narrowing the bandgap and shifting the Fermi level, while creating localized states that serve as temporary electron reservoirs to suppress carriers rapid recombination. On this basis, a ternary heterojunction Cu-TiO2/g-C3N4 (Cu-CT) was constructed by anchoring Cu-TiO2 onto g-C3N4 nanosheets. The synergistic interaction between Cu-doping and the S-scheme interfacial configuration generates an internal electric field that promotes vectorial carrier migration, enabling electrons in the conduction band of Cu-TiO2 and holes in the valence band of g-C3N4. This spatial separation preserves strong redox potentials and markedly suppresses recombination. Consequently, Cu-CT achieves a hydrogen evolution rate of 10.21 mmol g-1 h-1, more than twenty times higher than pristine TiO2. In-situ XPS, KPFM, and DFT analyses collectively validate the S-scheme charge-transfer pathway and highlight the synergistic role of Cu doping with heterojunction engineering, providing mechanistic insights to the rational design of advanced ternary photocatalysts for efficient solar-driven hydrogen production.
Grain-boundary-proximal hydroxyl defects in Pt-regulated inverse spinel high-entropy oxide enabling efficient CO2 photoreduction
Xuran Lei, Chunhong Qu, Yun wang, Lei Wang, Wenli Zhang, Min Zhang, Deping Wang, Liqiu Zhang, Chunmei Li, Hongjun Dong
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.01.006
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Achieving efficient photocatalytic performance for high-entropy oxides (HEOs) continues to pose significant challenge, primarily attributed to their intrinsically limited charge carrier mobility and sluggish surface reaction kinetics resulting from heterogeneous defect distributions. Herein, the new Pt-regulated inverse spinel HEOs with honeycomb-like architecture are developed employing a facile sol-gel technique. The doping of trace amounts of Pt in the octahedral B voids of the high-entropy (FeZnAlCoMn)3O4 can enables electronic structure optimization and regulates the grain-boundary-proximal hydroxyl defects, thereby improving CO2 adsorption/activation capabilities, charge transfer and separation efficiency, and surface reaction kinetics. As a result, the optimal high-entropy 1.6%Pt-(FeZnAlCoMn)3O4 achieves 3.41 times average CO evolution rate of (FeZnAlCoMn)3O4 and stable operations for 4 cycles in the photocatalytic CO2 reduction. This contribution provides novel insights into the targeted design and regulation of high-entropy oxides (HEOs) for efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction, thereby establishing a new paradigm for grain boundary defect engineering that can be extended to other application fields.
Synergistic Realization of Superior Potassium Storage in Group VB Metal Sulfoselenides via Complex-Assisted Interlayer Expansion and Augmented Charge Transfer Effect
Yifan Yang, Jinfeng Zheng, Zipeng Wang, Tiantian Liu, Penglei Chen, Zhanxiao Lu, Jiafan He, Yuxuan Wang, Xin Du, Dan Li
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.01.001
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Transition metal sulfoselenides inherit the 2D structure, large interlayer spacing, and high reactivity of their binary sulfide counterparts while tuning interlayer spacing and electronic structure via Se substitution for S, enhancing reaction kinetics and showing promise for potassium storage. Herein, a series of Group VB metal sulfoselenides (VSSe, NbSSe, and TaSSe) were successfully synthesized via chemical vapor transport and systematically evaluated their electrochemical properties as anodes for potassium-ion batteries. A combination of analytical techniques was employed to elucidate the underlying potassium storage mechanism, with findings confirming all three materials operate via intercalation. Both experimental findings and theoretical calculations reveal that NbSSe stands out among the three materials, showcasing exceptional electrochemical performance (retaining 182.1 mA h g-1 after 200 cycles at 0.5 A g-1 and exhibiting a rate capability of 127 mA h g-1 at 1 A g-1), the swiftest kinetics, the highest degree of metallicity, and the lowest reaction polarization. The essence of its enhanced performance lies in the unique ability of NbSSe to establish an interlayer expansion skeleton through complexes formed between the current collector Cu and electrolyte solvent molecules, which substantially widens the ion transport pathways - a feature absent in VSSe and TaSSe. Additionally, the pronounced charge transfer effect of Nb creates a synergistic interaction, and it is the combination of these two factors that propels NbSSe to ultimately attain superior electrochemical properties.
Polybenzimidazole anionic exchange membrane with hydrophobic clusters for efficient electrochemical CO2 reduction
Zuyu Li, Pingxia Zhang, Min He, Lihua Wang, Zhi Qiu, Yanbin Yun
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.01.002
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Specific anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are vital to highly efficient electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECR) which is a perspective choice for the carbon neutrality. However, the unexpected trade-off effect originated from the ion conductivity and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is still a great challenge. Herein, AEMs with hydrophobic clusters distribution in hydrophilic domain were designed and prepared by special ternary-polymerization polybenzimidazole (TP-PBI). The hydrophilic domain contributed to high ionic conductivity and dispersed hydrophobic clusters inhibited the membrane swelling and consequently the HER. As a result, an increase of 157% was achieved in ionic conductivity compared with that of OPBI and the prepared TP-PBI membranes exhibit CO faraday efficiency (FEco) as high as 96.2%, outstanding in situ durability for 24 h at 100 mA·cm-2. Such TP-PBI membranes throw new light on the development of AEMs for highly efficient ECR.
Efficient polyolefin plastic upcycling into jet fuel components over a Fe/Beta catalyst in decalin
Xingyu Zhang, Aoyi Tang, Youjing Tu, Ruikai Li, Yao Zhang, Ze Song, Xinhao Shen, Junhong Liu, Yuan Liang, Shenggang Li, Lingzhao Kong
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.01.003
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Jet-range hydrocarbons were produced from polyolefin waste via a one-pot conversion of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in decalin using a bifunctional Fe/Beta catalyst. Operating at 300 °C for 90 min afforded a liquid yield of 84.0 wt%, with 96.9 area% in the kerosene cut (C8–C16). The liquid product is rich in cycloalkanes (61.8 area%) and paraffins (24.4 area%), while aromatics remain limited (13.8 area%), consistent with aviation fuel specifications. Structure–performance analysis links the high activity and selectivity to uniformly dispersed Fe nanoparticles (2–5 nm) cooperating with tuned Brønsted/Lewis acidity on Beta zeolite. This metal–acid synergy enables controlled C–C scission and efficient hydrogenation, suppressing olefin accumulation and over-aromatization, thereby enhancing fuel quality. The results demonstrate a practical, mild route to upgrade plastic waste into drop-in jet-fuel components.
Mitigating Reaction Heterogeneity in Li-Rich Layered Cathodes through Surface-Phase Regulation Enabled by Tailored Concentration Gradients Engineering
Yujia Wu, Yuefeng Su, Jinyang Dong, Yun Lu, Jianan Hao, Huiquan Che, Teng Yang, Yiya Wang, Ning Li, Yibiao Guan, Feng Wu, Lai Chen
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.12.017
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Bioinspired Hierarchical Nanostructured CuBi2O4/CuO Heterojunction Photocathode for Enhanced Performance in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Hao Xiu, Fan Fan, Pan An, Mengshen Zhang, Yuting Wang, Yongpeng Cui, Yajun Wang, Guiyuan Jiang, Chunming Xu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.12.016
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The development of high-performance photocathode materials is crucial for solar hydrogen production, but their efficiency is often limited by poor charge separation, inefficient interfacial transfer, and sluggish surface reactions. In this work, a coral-like hierarchical nanostructured CuBi2O4/CuO heterojunction photocathode was designed to simultaneously overcome these limitations by synergistic adjusting the morphology and bandgap alignment. The optimized photocathode, featuring finer nanoscale microtentacles, substantially enhances the number of reactive sites, resulting in a significant enhanced interfacial electric field, which is 1.4 times greater than that of pure CuBi2O4. The CuBi2O4/CuO heterojunction photocathode generates a photocurrent density of 2.88 mA·cm-2 at 0.6 V vs. RHE, which is 4.43 times higher than that of a pure CuBi2O4 photocathode, and the incident photo-current efficiency reaches 18% at 400 nm. The charge transfer mechanism was elucidated using synchronous illumination X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (SI-XPS), in-situ Kelvin probe force microscopy (SI-KPFM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which directly observed the transfer of photogenerated electrons from CuBi2O4 to CuO and confirmed the enhancement of the interfacial electric field intensity induced by the S-scheme heterojunction. This work integrates bionic strategies into PEC applications, offering a valuable reference for the structural design of photoelectrodes and potentially advancing the efficiency of photoelectrochemical systems.
Transferable Molecular Model for Benzimidazole-Linked Polymer Membranes Applied in Hydrogen Separation
Qianqian Zhu, Shaofan Duan, Meixia Shan, Freek Kapteijn, Xin Gao, Yatao Zhang, Dongyang Li
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.12.020
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Benzimidazole-linked polymers (BILPs), with their densely cross-linked ultramicroporous networks, are promising for hydrogen separation. However, the molecular selectivity mechanisms remain poorly understood, hindering rational design. We present a multiscale simulation for BILPs, using BILP-101 as a model, to precisely resolve its microstructural features and elucidate H2 separation performance at an unprecedented molecular level. Through meticulous optimization of simulation protocols, including force fields, atomic charges, chain configurations, and equilibration cycles, optimal simulation protocols were identified, and the interplay of pore architecture and chemical interactions driving H2 selectivity was uncovered. Our simulations not only demonstrate precise control over pore geometry but also accurately replicate experimental H2/CO2, H2/N2, H2/CH4 separation performance across standard and elevated temperatures. The generality of our model was further validated by its strong agreement with empirical data for BILP-5 and BILP-15. This work bridges advanced molecular modeling with experimental validation, providing design principles to accelerate the development of next-generation BILPs or other polymer membranes for energy-efficient gas separation.
Enhanced coal tar-resistance of LaFeO3-based oxygen carrier for chemical looping reforming of coke oven gas
Longyu Wen, Zhiqiang Li, Nina Chen, Jiangyong Yuan, Yuelun Li, Lei Jiang, Hua Wang, Kongzhai Li
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2026.01.004
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Chemical looping reforming of coke oven gas (COG) is a promising technology for producing cheap hydrogen, but the presence of coal tar with relatively high concentration presents an enormous challenge for the design of oxygen carriers. In the present work, the effect of naphthalene (a coal tar model compound) on the activity and structure stability of LaFeO3-based perovskite oxygen carriers for chemical looping reforming of COG were investigated. We found that the presence of naphthalene would inhibit the methane conversion and lead to serious carbon deposit on oxygen carriers, thus reducing the structure stability during the redox cycling. In response to the aforementioned findings, a series of La1-xYxFe0.93Ni0.07O3-λ perovskite oxygen carriers were designed based on co-doping of A and B sites strategy. The presence of Ni2+ at B-site can improve the capacity of oxygen carrier for methane activation, and the Y3+ substitution at A-site may enhance the activity of lattice oxygen via regulating the Fe-O bond-length. With a suitable content of Ni and Y, the La0.9Y0.1Fe0.93Ni0.07O3-λ oxygen carrier shows superior performance for chemical looping reforming of COG, with the CH4 conversion higher than 99% and excellent stability during long-term redox cycles in the presence of 400 ppm naphthalene at 800 °C. This work may provide a viable strategy for developing robust perovskite oxygen carriers for the chemical looping reforming of fuels with relativity high content of impurities.
Metal-free C(CN)3 cooperated with Co-Ti dual sites in bimetallic CoTi-MOF as a tandem photocatalyst for highly efficient C2H4 production
Lijun Xiong, Dandan Zhu, Chenglong Qiu, Weihong Zeng, Mingshi Xu, Shanshan Wang, Yong Yang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.12.019
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The photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) into high-value C2+ hydrocarbons represents a sustainable pathway to alleviate energy shortages and reduce atmospheric CO2 levels. In this study, a unique tandem photocatalyst (CoTi-CN), is constructed by integrating bimetallic CoTi-MOF with metal-free half-metallic C(CN)3. This composite demonstrates markedly enhanced activity and selectivity in the photocatalytic CO2 reduction to ethylene (C2H4), achieving a C2H4 selectivity of 36.8% and a generation yield of 31.3 μmol g−1 over 5 h. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations combined with in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) analysis reveal that C(CN)3 acts as an efficient CO2 to CO converter, while CoTi-MOF favors the adsorption and C-C coupling of *CO intermediates. The spatially decoupled CO generation and C-C coupling processes lead to optimized intermediate coverage and reduced energy barriers, resulting in superior selectivity toward multi-carbon products. This work opens new horizons for the design of tandem photocatalysts that combine half-metallic catalysts with bimetallic MOFs, achieving a significant enhancement in the activity and selectivity of photocatalytic C2H4 production.
Bimetallic Mo2C-Co Nanoparticles Embedded in Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Heterostructures as an Efficient Fenton-like Catalyst for Antibiotics Degradation
Lifei Lian, Hanbin Hu, Zhaohui Wu, Sai An, Yu-Fei Song
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.12.010
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Fenton and Fenton-like catalysts have demonstrated great potential in the field of antibiotic degradation. However, it remains a challenge to remove the high concentrations of antibiotics effectively over a wide range of pH values. Herein, we successfully fabricate a heterostructure of cobalt (Co) and molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon (Mo2C-Co/N-C) by calcination of H3PMo12O40 (PMo12)-encapsulated Zn/Co-ZIF at 900 oC, in which the Co and Mo2C nanoparticles (NPs) are uniformly encapsulated in porous carbon with a high specific surface area of 315.9 m2·g-1 and a pore volume of 0.68 cm3·g-1. The as-prepared Mo2C-Co/N-C exhibits 99.3% degradation efficiency of 100 ppm of tetracycline (TC) within 20 min in the presence of H2O2 with the reaction rate constant k of 0.211 min-1, outperforming most reported Fenton-like catalysts. Moreover, the Mo2C-Co/N-C achieved above 90% removal efficiency for TC at concentrations up to 100 ppm over a wide range of pH values (3.0–9.0) and can also be recycled ten times without an obvious decrease in degradation efficiency, indicating satisfactory reusability and stability. Comprehensive studies demonstrated that the loss of electrons in Co species enhances the specific adsorption of TC and H2O2. Simultaneously, the Mo2C can accelerate the redox cycle of Co2+ → Co3+ → Co2+ and promote the generation of reactive oxygen species (1O2 and · OH) which ensured an improved catalytic activity.
Synergistically Enhanced Thermal and Mechanical Properties of CNT-Modified Docosane@SiO2 Nanocapsules for Advanced Thermal Energy Storage
Yudan Li, Xiaoqi Zhong, Zhengguo Zhang, Ziye Ling, Xiaoming Fang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.12.012
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This study presents a novel strategy for synthesizing carbon nanotube (CNT)-modified n-docosane@SiO2 (C22@SiO2) phase change nanocapsules with simultaneously enhanced latent heat, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength. A critical pretreatment step involving the ultrasonic dispersion of CNTs in tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) for ≥3 hours was critical, enabling effective adsorption of TEOS onto CNT surfaces and thereby facilitating their co-encapsulation with C22 within SiO2 shells via interfacial polycondensation. Systematic optimization revealed that a 3-hour dispersion was essential for forming structurally intact capsules, achieving an encapsulation efficiency of 80.2% and a melting enthalpy (ΔHm) of 188.5 J·g-1. The optimal CNT loading of 0.05 g maximized core crystallinity (66.75%) and latent heat (ΔHm: 188.5 J·g-1 vs. 168.3 J·g-1 for unmodified capsules), while reducing the melting point by 2.4 °C due to molecular interactions between CNTs and C22, as confirmed by solid-state 1H NMR. The optimized capsules (denoted as P-CNT-0.05) exhibited a 36.8% higher thermal conductivity (0.52 W·m-1·K-1), a 338.9% increase in Young’s modulus (3964 MPa), near-zero leakage (0.88% mass loss after heating), and stable performance over 100 thermal cycles. This work provides a scalable route to multifunctional phase change nanocapsules with triply enhanced energy storage capacity, heat transfer efficiency, and mechanical durability, demonstrating great potential for advanced thermal management applications.
Tuning hard carbon pore structure via water vapor activation for enhanced sodium-ion storage
Zuqin Duan, Wang Zhou, Ying Mo, Rui Tang, Yan Duan, Aiping Hu, Jilei Liu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.12.011
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The precise construction of closed pores in carbon anodes is crucial for boosting low-voltage plateau capacity of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Traditional closed-pore fabrication methods often face environmental and economic challenges. To address these limitations, this study proposes an innovative synergistic strategy combining water vapor activation with high-temperature repair. By precisely controlling the steam dosage during the 800 °C pre-carbonization stage, a tunable open pore network was constructed in the material, followed by efficient transformation of these open pores into ultra-micropores and closed pores through 1350 °C high-temperature treatment. The study reveals that the volume and size of open pores during pre-carbonization directly determines the final pore structure characteristics. Excessively large and abundant open pores hinder the transformation of the pore architecture during high-temperature treatment. The optimized PRHC2 anode demonstrates outstanding electrochemical performance, delivering a reversible capacity of 377.6 mAh g-1 at 30 mA g-1, including 284.1 mAh g-1 contribution from the plateau region. This research not only addresses the constraints of conventional methods but also provides critical technical support for developing next-generation carbon anode materials.
Organic anion-intercalation boosting intrinsic Cl- capture capability of layered double hydroxide anode for enhanced capacitive deionization
Huazeng Yang, Rui Zhang, Ming Hou, Dongling Li, Jun Cao, Xingtao Xu, Weiwei Zhou, Guangwu Wen, Xiaoxiao Huang, Dong Wang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.12.001
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Layered double hydroxides (LDH) hold great promise as capacitive deionization (CDI) anode owing to high Cl- capture capacity and abundant interlamellar ions transport channels. However, their narrow interlayer spacing results in sluggish ions diffusion and huge volume variation during Cl- adsorption/desorption, which become worse owing to large ionic radius of Cl-. Herein, we reveal the significant effectiveness of organic anions intercalation on boosting intrinsic Cl- capture capabilities of LDH anode. Compared with traditional inorganic anions-intercalated LDH anode, organic anion-intercalated LDH possess expanded interlayer spacing and increased proportion of highly active divalent metal ions in the host layer. Theoretical calculations unveil that organic anion intercalation endow LDH with stronger Cl- capture ability, faster ions diffusion behaviors, and stronger bonding strength with positively charged host layers. As expected, the prepared seven kinds of organic anion-intercalated LDH anodes all manifest fast pseudocapacitive reaction kinetics and enhanced desalination performance; particularly, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) intercalated LDH (LDH-SDS) anode exhibits large desalination capacity of 58.6 mg g-1 and excellent cyclic stability (76.9% retention ratio over 300 cycles), surpassing most of previously reported LDH-based CDI anodes. A series of in-situ/ex-situ characterizations further reveal outstanding structural stability and electrochemical reversibility of LDH-SDS anode. This work demonstrates great potential of crystal modulation on improving intrinsic ions capture capability of LDH and pave new insights for developing advanced CDI electrode.
Multi-Order Built-In Electric Field Engineering in Vo-ZF@TCN Heterojunctions for Efficient PMS Activation in Photo-Fenton-Like Reactions
Yiwen Wang, Yan Wang, Puyang Zhou, Chenchao Hu, Jia Yan, Yilin Deng, Yu Gan, Meng Xie, Liying Huang, Yuanguo Xu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.12.003
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The adsorption of PMS and the associated transfer of photogenerated carriers are prerequisites for photo-Fenton activation. In this work, we constructed an S-scheme Vo-ZF@TCN heterojunction with the characteristics of interlayer and in-plane multi-level built-in electric fields (BIEF). It was found that the BIEF amplitude of the in-plane heterojunction was ∼2.7 times that of a traditional heterojunction. The strong BIEF promotes the directional, rapid, and efficient transfer of photogenerated charge carriers, enabling the photostimulated synergistic activation of PMS for the degradation of organic pollutants. The rational design of redox ends promotes the formation of electron-deficient Vo-Fe, which creates Lewis acid adsorption sites. This design constructs a composite site for PMS adsorption and carrier transfer. We elucidated that the directional migration of electrons and holes cause spatial separation of PMS radical and non-radical activation sites and regulates the activation pathways by altering the migration direction of PMS through adsorption. This study provides new insights into the regulation of PMS activation pathways and enriches the design strategies for efficient photogenerated carrier transport and transfer.
Hexagonal close-packed Ni (101) facets boost furan ring activation for selective total hydrogenation of biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural over carbon-encapsulated Ni catalysts
Conghao Ku, Lihua Du, Huidu Xu, Xucheng Li, Siyuan Long, Zhengli Liu, Ik Seon Kwon, Jeunghee Park, Weiran Yang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.12.009
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Selective total hydrogenation of biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran (BHMTHF) under mild condition is crucial in biomass refining, yet dauntingly challenging with non-precious metal catalysts. Herein, the hexagonal-close-packed (hcp) Ni dominated carbon-encapsulated Ni-based catalyst (Ni@C-3) was fabricated via a facile citric acid induced carbonization strategy, which exhibited an outstanding catalytic performance toward the hydrogenation of HMF, achieving a high BHMTHF yield of 95.4% under 70 °C and 2 MPa H2. Additionally, even at high HMF concentrations (2500 mM), it maintained an high BHMTHF yield of 89.7%. The carbon layer, derived from the thermal decomposition of citric acid, effectively prevents the agglomeration of Ni nanoparticles and suppresses the phase transition of hcp-Ni to fcc-Ni. The carbon-encapsulated structure ensures the excellent storage stability and reusability of catalysts. Structure-activity relationship studies demonstrated that the hcp-Ni (101) crystal facets effectively reduce the reaction energy barrier of the rate-determining step (furan ring hydrogenation) during the reaction process, thereby promoting the hydrogenation of HMF to BHMTHF. Furthermore, the Ni@C-3 exhibited excellent catalytic activity in the hydrogenation of compounds containing various functional groups. Notably, furfural can also be hydrogenated to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA) under solvent-free conditions, and the yield of THFA can reach 91.2%. This study provides a facile strategy for designing and developing advanced hydrogenation catalysts based on crystal phase engineering, which makes it a promising alternative to noble metal catalysts in biorefineries.
Discrimination of Single and Binary Gases Using an Intelligent Electronic Nose System Based on Metal Oxide Gas Sensors
Xiaomeng Li, Zhengmao Cao, Jiaming Li, Wu Wang, Qingqing Ye, Behzad Rezaei, Fan Dong
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.12.006
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The pollutants emitted from industrial facilities seriously affect the atmospheric environment and human health. Accurately detecting low-concentration gas pollutants by single metal oxide gas sensors remains a significant challenge. In this study, we developed a novel electronic nose system to precisely discriminate components and concentrations of single and binary gas mixtures. The specific sensor array was constructed with six sensors based on SnO2 and Co3O4 sensing materials. The dataset collected from the electronic nose system was analyzed using k-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and logistic regression (LR) algorithms. For low-concentration ethanol, ammonia, and toluene, the KNN model accurately discriminated gas components and concentrations, achieving a five-fold cross-validation accuracy of 97.2%. As the number of sensors increased from 3 to 6, the accuracy for the types and concentrations of single and binary mixtures rose from 78.9% to 97.2%. The discrimination results for low-concentration gaseous pollutants demonstrate great potential for real atmospheric quality monitoring and provide an effective solution to the precise detection by metal oxide sensors.
3D-printing enables geometry-optimized ceramic membranes with minimizing mass transfer resistance for environmental application
Yuanhui Gao, Dong Zou, Ze-xian Nicholas Low, Zhaoxiang Zhong, Weihong Xing
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.12.004
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Membrane separation technology, with its features of high efficiency and environmental sustainability, is playing an increasingly important role in the field of energy conservation and emission reduction. Membrane structure design has shown high advantages in reducing mass transfer resistance and enhancing separation efficiency. In this study, 3D printing technology was employed to fabricate a direct-channel structured alumina-mullite ceramic membrane to enhance membrane separation efficiency. A ceramic slurry was used as raw material to precisely manufacture ceramic membrane as the digital model, achieving high curing depth of 200 μm and low curing width of 50 μm. Moreover, in-situ mullite reaction was employed to form sintering necks among ceramic particles to enhance the bending strength. The effects of solid content and sintering temperature on the membrane properties were systematically investigated. When the solid content was 75 wt% and sintering temperature was 1400 °C, the ceramic membrane with conventional structure exhibited a pore size of 1.1 μm and pure water flux of 1698 L/(m2·h·bar). In contrast, the direct-channel structured ceramic membrane exhibited a high pure water flux of 4700 L/(m2·h·bar), which was ∼3 times higher than those of the conventional ones. This improvement of permeability could be attributed to the optimized mass transfer process that was confirmed via computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. To demonstrate the potential application of this ceramic membrane in the environmental sustainability, oil/water emulsion separation was taken as an example. The membrane demonstrated high separation efficiency of above 99% and a stable water permeance of 130 L/(m2·h·bar) during oil/water emulsion filtration. This work provides a fundamental basis to advance the development of structurally designed ceramic membranes for environmental sustainability.
Low-cost industrial feedstocks derived calcium-based pellets assisted by pores regeneration for direct solar-driven thermochemical energy storage
Xinrui Wang, Xianglei Liu, Chao Song, Hangbin Zheng, Yongliang Li
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.11.004
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Calcium-based thermochemical energy storage (TCES) offers unique advantages of high energy density, long-duration energy retention, and high operation temperature, making it ideally suited for next-generation concentrated solar power (CSP) plants. However, the inherently poor cyclic stability and solar absorptance of CaO/CaCO3 limit its commercial viability. Conventional strategy relies on incorporating expensive inert supports and absorption enhancers into Ca-based materials, yet inevitably amplifies production costs. Here, low-cost industrial feedstocks derived Ca-based pellets assisted by pores regeneration are proposed for direct solar-driven thermochemical energy storage. Aluminous cement and manganese sand are used as the inert support and absorption enhancer additive, respectively, serving as cost-effective alternatives to expensive reagents. Composite Ca-based pellets possess a high energy storage density of 953 kJ/kg over 50 calcination/carbonation cycles, which is 2.09 times higher compared with conventional limestones. Direct solar thermochemical energy storage power density achieves as high as 1.68 kW/kg, which is enhanced by 30.2%. The underlying mechanism is attributed to pores regeneration during calcination-carbonation cycles, which are created by differential deformations of active CaO/CaCO3 and thermal pretreated enhanced inert skeletons. Furthermore, it achieves an industry-leading energy storage economy of 4.63 MJ/$, highlighting distinct low-cost advantages compared with similar energy storage materials reported in the literature. This work proposes a cost-effective strategy for engineering Ca-based TCES pellets, bridging the gap between high-performance thermochemical energy storage and scalable industrial applications.
Catalysts for Tar Reforming in Biomass and Solid Waste Gasification: A Comprehensive Review
Tianyue Liu, Xixi Lian, Dong Liang, Shuxiao Wang, Rui Shan, Haoran Yuan, Yong Chen
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.11.003
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Catalytic reforming plays a pivotal role in converting tar produced from the gasification of biomass and municipal solid waste (MSW). This review offers an in-depth discussion of formation processes and major components of tar, as well as the fundamental mechanisms of its catalytic reforming. The review also introduced various catalysts and their deactivation issues, such as active metals (transition metals, noble metals, and alkali metals), supports (metal oxides, carbon-based materials, perovskites, and core-shell structures), and promoters. Meanwhile, it summarized the synergistic interactions between active metals and supports, along with the modulation of catalyst redox properties, metal-support interactions (MSI), and surface acidity/basicity through promoters. Furthermore, the main challenges at industrial scale are summarized: complex chemistry, particle clogging and thermal stress. Current strategies being explored to address these include structured and alloyed catalysts, process integration, catalyst regeneration and simulation optimization. It was expected to further flourish the catalytic reforming in the energy regeneration of biomass and solid waste gasification.
Pearl-Necklace Structured Se-Doped Hollow Carbon Nanofibers for High-Capacity and Ultrastable Potassium Ion Storage
Yali Lu, Huanyu Liang, Xinyu Wang, Hui Zhang, Jing Shi, Weiqian Tian, Jingwei Chen, Yue Zhu, Minghua Huang, Huanlei Wang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.10.008
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Carbon-based materials are promising anodes for potassium-ion batteries due to their natural abundance and structural stability. However, their practical application remains hindered by limited capacity and poor rate performance. Here, we report the design of selenium-doped hollow carbon nanofibers (SeHCF-x) with a unique pearl necklace-like morphology, synthesized via electrospinning in combination with a SiO2 templating strategy. The hollow architecture ensures intimate electrolyte/electrode contact, reduces K+ diffusion distances, and accommodates volume fluctuations during cycling. Selenium doping introduces abundant defects and active sites, lowers the K+ diffusion energy barrier, and enhances electronic conductivity. As a result, the optimized SeHCF electrode delivers a high reversible capacity of 470 mAh g-1 at 0.05 A g-1 and maintains 167 mAh g-1 at 5 A g-1 after 6000 cycles. Ex-situ analyses reveal a reversible Se/K2Se conversion mechanism that underpins its potassium storage capability. Density functional theory calculations show that selenium doping has a significant contribution to K adsorption and electronic conductivity. When assembled into a potassium-ion hybrid capacitor, the SeHCF anode achieves an energy density of 145 Wh kg-1 and retains 85 % of its capacity after 10000 cycles. This work offers key insights into selenium-doped carbon frameworks and highlights a viable pathway for designing high-performance hollow-structured electrodes in next-generation energy storage systems.
High-Value Utilization of Waste Plastics: Transforming Plastic Polymers into Thin-Walled and Uniform Carbon Nanotubes via Catalytic Pyrolysis
Ning Cai, Siqian Jia, Kunpeng Sun, Jiahui Zhu, Chuanwen Zhao, Haiping Yang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.10.004
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The high-value utilization of waste plastics plays a crucial role in mitigating plastic pollution. In this work, transition metals were selected as active species, while magnesium oxide, derived from the calcination of basic magnesium carbonate, served as the support material for the generation of thin-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The confined pore structure restricts the migration of reduced iron nanoparticles, promoting the nucleation and growth of small-diameter and thin-walled CNTs. The results show that over 10 wt.% carbon deposits were collected from various types of plastics. The CNTs generated from polyethylene exhibit a diameter of approximately 8 nm and a wall thickness of about 6 layers of graphite. Additionally, Ni-based and Co-based catalysts, polypropylene and polystyrene have also been studied and around 10 nm CNTs were produced. Moreover, this study further demonstrates that excessively high or low temperatures are detrimental to the growth of CNTs. To sum up, this work proposes a novel strategy for recycling waste plastics into smaller-diameters CNTs, offering significant potential for the high-value utilization of waste.
Ionic Liquids for olefin extractive separation from fluid catalytic cracking naphtha: Thermodynamics and molecular mechanisms
Wen-Hai Zhang, Jian Gao, Yue Zhang, Christoph Held, Gangqiang Yu, Hong Meng
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.09.005
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This study investigates the extractive separation of olefins from fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) naphtha using ionic liquids (ILs), from the perspectives of molecular thermodynamics and separation mechanisms. Initially, a representative binary mixture of benzene and 1-hexene was employed to screen various ILs for their separation performance, based on COSMO-RS calculations combined with relevant physicochemical property evaluations. Consequently, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate ([EMIM][SCN]) was identified as the most promising extractant. Subsequently, the liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) behavior of ternary systems involving the selected IL and the benchmark solvent sulfolane (SUL) was quantitatively predicted using the Perturbed-Chain Statistical Associating Fluid Theory (PC-SAFT). In this modeling framework, ILs were treated as electrically neutral components due to the significant ion-pair electrostatic interactions in non-aqueous media, thus, the IL-related mixed systems are named as “complex strong electrostatic-hydrogen bonding organic systems”. Finally, quantum chemical (QC) calculations were conducted to elucidate the underlying molecular-level separation mechanism. The results indicate that [EMIM][SCN] exhibits significantly stronger intermolecular interactions with the organic components than SUL, thus accounting for its superior extraction performance. These findings provide valuable insights for the rational design of task-specific ILs for efficient olefin separation in petroleum refining processes.
Selective oxidation of high-concentration 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid at room temperature in water by synergic electronic effect of bimetallic RuCo/NC catalyst
Lihua Du, Conghao Ku, Mengmeng Feng, Junjie Lan, Jeunghee Park, Ik Seon Kwon, Lingzhao Kong, Weiran Yang
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.07.008
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Bio-based 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) has the potential to replace petroleum-based terephthalic acid for the synthesis of high-performance polyester materials, demonstrating broad application prospects. Its primary preparation method involves the selective oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). However, the industrial process is limited by low HMF concentration during the reaction due to the formation of humus resulting from HMF instability especially in high concentration. In this study, a RuCo/NC bimetallic catalyst was fabricated, which can effectively catalyze the selective oxidation of HMF to obtain FDCA at room temperature (25 °C). Side reactions caused by HMF instability were significantly reduced at room temperature, allowing for the application of high-concentration HMF (10 wt%) to achieve an excellent FDCA yield of 91.92% in water. Mechanism studies reveal that a synergistic electronic effect exists between two metals that electrons transfer from Co to Ru to increase the electron density on the surface of Ru nanoparticles, improving oxygen activation ability. Meanwhile, the electron-deficient Co further enhances the adsorption of HMF on the catalyst surface for better reactivity. This study realized the high-concentration HMF aerobic oxidation to FDCA at room temperature in water, paving the way for FDCA to serve as a sustainable substitute for terephthalic acid in polyester production.
Dual-bonded Polyethyleneimine Network with Electron-withdrawing Groups at α, β-sites for Ultra-stable and Low-energy CO2 Capture in Harsh Environments
Tong Zhou, Yunxia Wen, Zhinan Wu, Shuailong Song, Bohong Wu, Hongwei Guo, Huanhao Chen, Xin Feng, Liwen Mu, Xiaohua Lu, Tuo Ji, Jiahua Zhu
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2024.10.005.
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As an innovative approach to addressing climate change, significant efforts have been dedicated to the development of amine sorbents for CO2 capture. However, the high energy requirements and limited lifespan of these sorbents, such as oxidative and water stability, pose significant challenges to their widespread commercial adoption. Moreover, the understanding of the relationship between adsorption energy and adsorption sites is not known. In this work, a dual-bond strategy was used to create novel secondary amine structures by a polyethyleneimine (PEI) network with electron-extracted (EE) amine sites at adjacent sites, thereby weakening the CO2 binding energy while maintaining the binding ability. In-situ FT-IR and DFT demonstrated the oxygen-containing functional groups adjacent to the amino group withdraw electrons from the N atom, thereby reducing the CO2 adsorption capacity of the secondary amine, resulting in lower regeneration energy consumption of 1.39 GJ·t-1-CO2. In addition, the EE sorbents demonstrated remarkable performance with retention of over 90% of their working capacity after 100 cycles, even under harsh conditions containing 10% O2 and 20% H2O. DFT calculations were employed to clarify for the first time the mechanism that the oxygen functional group at the α-site hinders the formation of the urea structure, thereby being an antioxidant. These findings highlight the promising potential of such sorbents for deployment in various CO2 emission scenarios, irrespective of environmental conditions.
Potassium-doped hydrated manganese dioxide nanowires-carbon nanotube on graphene for high performance rechargeable zinc-ion battery
Ting-Hao Xu, Sin Liou, Fan-Lin Hou, Yuan-Yao Li
, Available online  , doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2021.10.006
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Aqueous rechargeable Zn-ion battery (ARZIB) is a great candidate for the next generation battery due to its high safety, low cost, and relatively high capacity. Here, we develop hydrated and potassium-doped manganese dioxide (MO) nanowires mixed with carbon nanotubes (CNT) on graphene substrates (hydrated KMO-CNT/graphene) for ARZIB. A simple polyol process (poly(ethyl glycol), KMnO4, CNTs, and graphene) is conducted to form the hydrated KMO-CNT/graphene. MnO2 nanowires with diameters of 15–25 nm have a high specific capacity with a short diffusion path. The intercalated K ions and hydrates in the layered MnO2 nanowires remain the MO structure during the charge and discharge process, while carbon nanomaterials (CNTs and graphene) enhance the conductivity of the materials. As a result, the hydrated KMOCNT/graphene demonstrates a good ARZIB performance. A high capacity of 359.8 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 can be achieved while, at a high current density of 3.0 A g-1, the capacity of 129 mAh g-1 can be obtained with 77% retention after 1000 cycles.

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