Metal-free catalysts break through in green H2O2 synthesis! Novel organic semiconductors enable high-efficiency interfacial reactions
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 30-Jul-2025 09:10 ET (30-Jul-2025 13:10 GMT/UTC)
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a versatile oxidant widely used in pharmaceuticals, environmental protection, and chemical manufacturing. However, conventional H2O2 production relies on energy-intensive processes and costly metal-based catalysts, raising economic and environmental concerns. As a sustainable alternative, photocatalytic H2O2 synthesis harnesses solar energy, water, and oxygen under mild conditions. This research group summarizes recent advancements in the development of metal-free organic semiconductors for photocatalytic H2O2 generation. Notably, it delves into novel surface reaction mechanisms, including anthraquinone intermediate, peroxy acid intermediate, bipyridine intermediate, and dual channel synergistic mechanisms for optimizing photocatalyst performance. They also highlight the critical role of advanced characterization techniques, including in-situ characterizations and computational simulations, in understanding structure-property relationships and real-time catalytic processes. By proposing new strategies for material modification and potential device-based applications, this review aims to stimulate further research and promote the industrialization of photocatalytic H2O2 production, contributing to sustainable chemical processes.
NiMo-NiMoOx with crystalline/amorphous heterointerface was fabricated by a facile electrodeposition method. Theoretical calculations and experimental results confirm that the introduction of Mo atoms can not only lower the energy barrier of water dissociation and optimize the capacity for hydrogen adsorption/desorption, but also modulate the ratio between crystalline and amorphous phases, increasing the heterostructure interfaces and enriching active sites. Thus, the NiMo-NiMoOx electrocatalyst exhibits remarkable HER catalytic properties and durability. It requires a low overpotential of 30 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm-2 in 1.0 M KOH, as well as a long-term stability with slight degradation after operating for over 80 h. Moreover, it also exhibits excellent activity and stability with negligible declination in the simulated alkaline seawater, making it highly promising for seawater electrolysis applications.
Heterostructured magnetic composites with exchange coupling effects are considered to be promising electromagnetic wave absorbers. Soft magnetic ZnFe2O4 and hard magnetic Fe3C are generated and tightly anchored on two-dimensional carbon nanosheets, which generate large number of heterogeneous interfaces. This work provides advanced nanostructure integrating two-dimensional morphology and soft/hard magnetic heterostructure with effective exchange coupling, which can simultaneously achieve the electromagnetic wave stealth and high corrosion resistance.
The application of CAR-T cell therapy against solid tumors is often hindered by the dense and rigid tumor extracellular matrix (ECM). While combining CAR-T with hyaluronidase (HAase) to reduce ECM is apparent, the efficacy is limited because of low accumulation and penetration efficiency of HAase inside the tumor tissue. Herein, the stimuli-responsive HAase-loaded nanogels (H-NGs) which are conjugated on the surface of CAR-T cells were designed for synergistically improving HAase accumulation, ECM degradation and CAR-T cell efficacy. The conjugation of H-NGs on the T cell surface was achieved through metabolic oligosaccharide engineering (MOE) in a semi-quantitatively controlled manner. Intravenous injection of H-NGs armed CAR-T cells resulted in more ECM degradation than co-injection of CAR-T cells and free H-NGs, leading to an 83.2% tumor inhibition rate and relieves tumor suppressive microenvironment in the Raji solid tumor model. Proteomic analysis of the harvested tumor tissues indicated that the combining of H-NGs and CAR-T cell collaboratively reduces cell adhesion and enhanced leukocyte transendothelial migration. Overall, this work simultaneously boosts the efficacy of hyaluronidase and CAR-T cells in combating solid tumor, which has broad application potential in cancer combination therapy.
A research team has mapped and characterized the DELLA gene family in kiwifruit and explored its role in fruit softening and ripening delay.
A groundbreaking study led by researchers at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) has developed a high-performance near-infrared (NIR) computational spectrometer using finely-tuned lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs). This innovation, published in Nano Research, achieves a spectral resolution of 1.5 nm, making it a powerful tool for applications ranging from qualitative material identification to quantitative alcohol content measurement in liquor. The study highlights the critical role of QD monodispersity and precise synthesis in enhancing spectrometer performance, paving the way for portable, low-cost NIR spectrometers in industrial and consumer applications.
In a groundbreaking study published in Nano Research, researchers from Beijing Normal University (Zhuhai) and the University of Wollongong have developed a novel catalytic system that significantly enhances the efficiency of hydrogen oxidation reactions (HOR) in alkaline media. This advancement could pave the way for more efficient and durable anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs), a critical component in the transition to clean energy technologies.
Hydrogen fuel cells are a promising alternative to fossil fuels, offering a clean and renewable energy source. However, the efficiency of these cells is often limited by the sluggish kinetics of the hydrogen oxidation reaction, particularly in alkaline environments. Platinum (Pt) is the most effective catalyst for HOR, but its performance is hindered by high hydrogen adsorption binding energy (HBE) and insufficient hydroxyl adsorption energy (OHBE). This study addresses these challenges by introducing a new catalytic system that balances HBE and OHBE, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the reaction.
Water pollution caused by nitrite (NO2⁻) from agricultural runoff and industrial discharge presents significant challenges to ecosystem health and human wellbeing. Innovative water treatment technologies are essential for addressing this growing environmental concern. A new cobalt-iron layered double hydroxide decorated on 3D titanium dioxide arrays (TiO2@CoFe-LDH/TP) shows promise as an effective electrocatalyst for nitrite reduction, offering a practical approach to converting harmful pollutants into valuable ammonia while minimizing unwanted byproducts during the electrochemical process.
Single-atom cobalt catalysts have been recognized as promising alternatives to natural enzymes. However, their relatively low catalytic activity greatly limits their further application. Herein, Single cobalt sites immobilized on defective carbon nanosheets (2D Co-CN(H)) can act as efficient oxidase mimics with high atom utilization efficiency. In particular, the 2D Co-CN(H) catalysts are found to be twice as effective as defect-free Co-CN catalysts. Combined experimental and theoretical analyses reveal that the defects around atomic cobalt sites can rationally regulate the electronic distribution, significantly promoting the cleavage of O-O bonds and thus improving their oxidase-like performance. Taking advantage of the excellent oxidase-like activity of 2D Co-CN(H) catalysts and the good photothermal properties of oxTMB, an innovative dual-mode colorimetric-photothermal sensing platform toward effective discrimination and detection of dihydroxybenzene isomers has been successfully constructed. This study not only highlights the important role of defects on the oxidase-like activity of single-atom nanozymes, but also broadens their potential applications in environmental conservation.
In a leap forward for legume crop research, scientists have assembled a high-quality reference genome for 'D30', an ancient landrace of pigeonpea.