A novel dye-sensitized photocatalyst developed at Science Tokyo enables the capture of long-wavelength visible light for efficient hydrogen conversion, surpassing conventional photocatalysts. By replacing the metal center of traditional complexes with osmium, the researchers achieved a photocatalyst that can absorb light with wavelengths beyond 600 nanometers. This shift in the absorption profile enables the system to harvest a broader range of the solar spectrum, generating more excited electrons to enhance hydrogen-evolution performance.

2D single-crystalline metal nanosheets are considered promising candidates for triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). Now, Researchers at Jeonbuk National University have developed a hierarchical porous copper nanosheet-based TENG that significantly improves triboelectric performance through a unique structural design. The proposed architecture provides integrated multifunctionality, including energy harvesting, electromagnetic interference shielding, and Joule heating, making it highly lucrative for next-generation wearable electronic devices.

Researchers have created a heavy-atom-free, twisted D–A–A–D molecule that self-assembles into crystalline nanofibers. These fibers show high light absorption and 72% singlet oxygen yield, enabling rapid visible-light-driven photooxidation. They are easily recovered by sedimentation and remain stable over multiple cycles, offering a new design for efficient, reusable solid-state photosensitizers.