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[Display omitted] • Ru nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on heterointerface of 1 T-MoS 2 and carbon paper (Ru@1T-MoS 2 /CFP) is designed. • The Ru 2 @MoS 2 -85 %/CFP presents superb HER performance with overpotential of 19 mV and a low Tafel slope of 29 mV dec–1. • The strong interaction between 1 T-MoS 2 and OH* makes OH* migrate from Ru to MoS 2 , alleviating the poisoning of Ru sites. • Ru NPs close to the interface of 1 T-MoS2/CFP can achieve an optimal hydrogen adsorption energy for high HER performance. Ru is considered as highly efficient Pt-free catalyst in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to its fast water dissociation kinetics. However, its strong affinity to OH* and H* greatly limits its HER performance. Herein, Ru nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on the mixed substrates of MoS 2 (different 1T contents) and carbon fiber paper (Ru@MoS 2 -1T%/CFP) is designed and synthesized with three kinds of interfaces (MoS 2 /CFP, Ru/CFP, and Ru/MoS 2) as excellent electrocatalyst for HER. Particularly, the Ru 2 @MoS 2 -85%/CFP presents superb HER performance with overpotential of 19 mV at 10 mA cm−2, a low Tafel slope of 29 mV dec–1 and stability of up to 10 days, outperforming reported Ru-based catalysts and Pt/C. The experimental and DFT studies disclose that the hydroxyl migration-assisted dissociation of water and interface-engineering desorption of H 2 process, occurring at the mutually hybridized interface sites of Ru/MoS 2 /CFP, simultaneously speed Volmer/Tafel processes. Compared to Ru, the stronger interaction of 1T-MoS 2 to OH* makes OH* migrate from Ru to MoS 2 , alleviating the poisoning of Ru sites. Also, only Ru NPs close to the interface of 1T-MoS 2 /CFP can achieve an optimal hydrogen adsorption energy for high HER performance. This designed strategy provides a novel idea for preparing supported Ru catalysts for excellent HER performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• By controlling the concentration of Li-ions, the phase composition of high entropy oxide (HEO) can be regulated. • A high concentration of point defects (i.e., oxygen vacancies) and extended defects (such as dislocations and stacking faults) can be introduced into the spinel phase. • Successful control over defect engineering in spinel-rocksalt dual-phase HEO has been achieved through phase-selective regulation. • The incorporation of an intergrown interface improves the conductivity and structural stability of electrode materials. This paper presents the effectiveness of phase-selective regulation in the Mg-Co-Ni-Mn-Zn-O-based spinel-rocksalt dual-phase high entropy oxide (HEO) for achieving novel electrochemical properties. The key factor distinguishing spinel from rocksalt in response to Li-ion incorporation is the separation of ions at tetrahedral sites, which offers greater structural adjustability and enables incoordinate defect regulation of individual phases. The optimized Li incorporation facilitates a high concentration of point defects (specifically oxygen vacancies) and appropriately extended defects (such as dislocations and stacking fault) in the spinel phase, accompanied by a spinel-rocksalt intergrown interface. These exquisite adjustments improve the conductivity, structural stability, and specific capacity of the HEO electrode material. Nevertheless, the ever-increasing Li content triggers the transformation from a spinel-rocksalt dual-phase HEO to a single-phase rocksalt HEO, resulting in serious lattice distortion and excessive defects that hinder the efficient transport of Li-ion, ultimately leading to unsatisfactory electrochemical performance. Thus, phase-selective engineering facilitates the determination of appropriate defects that synergistically interact with the intergrown interface and the dual-phase structure. The optimized HEO20 exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance, with a high initial discharge capacity of 2049.8 mAh g−1 at 0.1C and a high-rate capability of 502.9 mAh g−1 at 2C. Moreover, it demonstrates remarkable battery capacity retention of 99.5% after 1300 cycles at 0.5C and a stable cycle performance of 717.3 mAh g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• K.S Bfr can store Cd2+ in protein cavities in vitro. • The engineering bacteria with K.S Bfr can enhance the removal of Cd2+ from water. • Bacterioferritin up-regulates the ribosomal metabolic pathway. Cadmium can enter water through various industrial pollutants, posing serious threats to the ecological environment and human health. This study unveiled an effective method for removing Cd2+ from water by introducing bacterioferritin, known as Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis (K.S Bfr), into engineering bacteria (EB) to facilitate metal ion removal via K.S Bfr storage. Additionally, the paper explores the mechanism behind Cd2+ removal by EB using K.S Bfr. The binding kinetics revealed that EB's Cd2+ binding capacity was significantly higher than that of wild bacteria, and Cd2+ was found to enter the protein cavity of K.S Bfr in vitro. When exposed to Cd2+ concentrations ranging from 0 to 2.5 mM, EB demonstrated a survival rate above 70 %, whereas wild bacteria's survival rate remained below 50 %. The superior Cd2+ removal capacity of EB can be attributed to the intracellular storage capacity of K.S Bfr. Tandem Mass Tags quantitative proteomics analysis showed that EB mitigated cytotoxicity mainly by up-regulating the expression of binding, homeostasis, efflux, and ribosome-related proteins. K.S Bfr was identified as a major pathway for bacteria to remove Cd2+ since it provided independent storage space for Cd2+ and ensured intracellular metal ion homeostasis. This study presents an effective strategy for treating metal wastewater, offering promising new applications for bioremediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A facile laser-assisted synthesis process was employed to prepare Sm 2 Sn 2 O 7 –LIG. • Laser induces in situ carbonization and surface engineering of Sm 2 Sn 2 O 7 –LIG. • Sm 2 Sn 2 O 7 –LIG-modified GCE showed good electrochemical detection for FNPS. • The FNPS sensor had a low LOD (7.69 nM) and high sensitivity (1.5137 µA µM−1cm−2). • The sensor exhibited a recovery of > 96 % in spiked environmental and food samples. The increasing use of pesticides poses significant threats to both the environment and human health. Safety assessments for controlling or monitoring such potential hazards require on-site sensing devices with facile fabrication and ultralow detection limits. In particular, electrochemical assays satisfy some of these requirements; however, to date, their electrodes have not demonstrated satisfactory stability, selectivity, or sensitivity. This paper reports the development of a simple, efficient electrochemical sensor based on a composite of samarium stannate (Sm 2 Sn 2 O 7) and laser-induced graphene (LIG) for detecting fenamiphos (FNPS) insecticides in environmental and food samples. A laser photothermal reaction was employed to simultaneously carbonize and amorphize the surface of a Sm 2 Sn 2 O 7 –polyimide film. This single-step reaction furnished a three-dimensional porous LIG network with Sm 2 Sn 2 O 7 clusters. The resulting Sm 2 Sn 2 O 7 –LIG nanocomposite exhibited enhanced physicochemical properties, surpassing those of its individual components, i.e., LIG and Sm 2 Sn 2 O 7. Moreover, a glassy carbon electrode modified with Sm 2 Sn 2 O 7 –LIG was employed for the detection of FNPS at remarkably low concentrations of 7.69 nM, exhibiting a high sensitivity of 1.5137 µA µM−1cm−2. Real-time monitoring resulted in a recovery rate of more than 96 % from spiked environmental and food samples, confirming its practical applicability for sensitive FNPS detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bimetallic nitride heterostructures is constructed to broaden the optical response. • The C@VN/TiN sample are synthesized by ammonia-assisted one-step calcination. • The C@VN/TiN sample has the best photoreduction CO 2 performance. There are still many challenges in inhibiting the recombination and differentiation of photogenerated carriers from promoting the conversion of CO 2 into hydrocarbons. Based on the functional differentiation of different metal sites, bimetallic nitride heterostructures is constructed to broaden the optical response and promote the separation of charge carriers in this work. Herein, carbon substrate-loaded double nitride heterostructure composites C@VN/TiN are synthesized by ammonia-assisted one-step calcination. In all samples, the C@VN/TiN-3 sample has the best photoreduction CO 2 performance with the promotion of lactic acid (LA) reagent. And the CH 4 yield of the C@VN/TiN-3 sample is 775 μmol g−1 h-1, which is 7.6 times and 10.3 times higher than C@VN (102 μmol g−1 h-1) and C@TiN (75 μmolg−1 h-1), respectively. The generation, separation, and migration of photogenerated electron-hole pairs are studied kinetically through transient photocurrent responses, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The position and process of adsorption and activation of CO 2 and H 2 O are deduced by in situ characterization and reaction potential, and the determined possible path is explored by the peak of intermediates. This paper reveals the important roles of co-catalytic agents, ohmic junctions, and the function of bimetallic actives in enhancing photocatalytic activity, providing new ideas for constructing efficient photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Modification methods of durable substrates to improve the binding stability of MOFs are summarized. • Engineering strategies for incorporating MOFs with substrates are particularly presented. • Applications of various MOFs-incorporated durable substrates in water treatment are outlined. • Future perspective and directions on the development of MOFs/durable substrates are pointed out. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted extensive attention as a new class of porous materials with diverse active sites for adsorption, separation, catalysis and so on. Combining MOFs with convenient substrates has become a research hot spot in the field of water treatment in recent years. However, traditional polymer-based MOFs composites have stability problems such as heat resistance, acid/alkali resistance and poor resistance to oxidation, which limit their application. Therefore, it becomes crucial to combine water-stable MOFs with porous durable substrates. This paper reviews the latest research progress in this area, the superiorities of durable substrates is firstly introduced from the perspective of structure and species, then the methods for preparing MOFs on substrates are discussed, and the modification methods to improve the binding stability of MOFs to durable substrates are analyzed in depth. In particular, this review innovatively summarizes the engineering strategies for MOFs incorporated with substrates, including the controllable distribution of MOFs on substrates, the regulation of MOFs morphology and size, the regulation of surface wettability and the design of synergistic effects. Their water treatment applications comprising adsorption, oil–water separation, catalytic degradation and desalination are also introduced. Finally, insights and prospects for future challenges are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ultrathin and single crystal of WO 3 nanoplates synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal technique. • This study shows a collaborative approach of facet engineering and p-n Junction of WO 3 /MoS 2 -MoO X. • Depth, surface, and interface of the WO 3 /MoS 2 -MoO X investigated by TOF-SIMS analysis. • The obtained WO 3 /MoS 2 -MoO X photoanode exhibits highly efficient and stable PEC H 2 generation. • H 2 and O 2 productions of the WO 3 /MoS 2 -MoO X after 2 h were 54.5 and 25.8 μmol cm−2, respectively. In this paper, we demonstrate a facet-controlled WO 3 nanoplate heterojunction with MoS 2 -MoO X nanosheets that produces extremely efficient and stable photoelectrochemical H 2 production. Furthermore, the effect of the hydrothermal process time (t = 1, 2, and 3 h) for the WO 3 photoanode and drop-casting process of the MoS 2 nanosheets (4, 8, and 12 times) to obtain the optimum amount of the material (MoS 2 and MoO X) for the PEC performance of the WO 3 /#n-MoS 2 and WO 3 /#n-MoS 2 -MoO X (n = 4, 8, and 12) photoanodes were investigated. The photocurrent density of the WO 3 /MoS 2 -MoO X photoanode was approximately 2.15 mA.cm −2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE, which was 8.6 and 1.2 times higher compare to pure WO 3 and WO 3 /MoS 2 photoelectrodes, respectively. The incident photon current efficiency of the WO 3 /MoS 2 -MoO X photoanode is approximately 27.5%, which is a significant improvement over that of bare WO 3. The WO 3 /MoS 2 -MoO X photoanode produced 54.5 μmolcm−2 of H 2 and 25.8 μmolcm−2 of O 2 after 2 h, at 1.23 V vs. RHE and 100 mWcm−2. The electrochemical kinetics clearly showed that water oxidation reaction was accelerated. The WO 3 /MoS 2 -MoO X photoanode, which was developed through simple and facial drop casting of MoS 2 nanosheets onto WO 3 photoanode, resulted in effective photogenerated carrier separation and enhanced oxygen evolution reactions on the anode surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ultrathin and single crystal of WO 3 nanoplates synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal technique. • This study shows a collaborative approach of facet engineering and p-n Junction of WO 3 /MoS 2 -MoO X. • Depth, surface, and interface of the WO 3 /MoS 2 -MoO X investigated by TOF-SIMS analysis. • The obtained WO 3 /MoS 2 -MoO X photoanode exhibits highly efficient and stable PEC H 2 generation. • H 2 and O 2 productions of the WO 3 /MoS 2 -MoO X after 2 h were 54.5 and 25.8 μmol cm−2, respectively. In this paper, we demonstrate a facet-controlled WO 3 nanoplate heterojunction with MoS 2 -MoO X nanosheets that produces extremely efficient and stable photoelectrochemical H 2 production. Furthermore, the effect of the hydrothermal process time (t = 1, 2, and 3 h) for the WO 3 photoanode and drop-casting process of the MoS 2 nanosheets (4, 8, and 12 times) to obtain the optimum amount of the material (MoS 2 and MoO X) for the PEC performance of the WO 3 /#n-MoS 2 and WO 3 /#n-MoS 2 -MoO X (n = 4, 8, and 12) photoanodes were investigated. The photocurrent density of the WO 3 /MoS 2 -MoO X photoanode was approximately 2.15 mA.cm −2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE, which was 8.6 and 1.2 times higher compare to pure WO 3 and WO 3 /MoS 2 photoelectrodes, respectively. The incident photon current efficiency of the WO 3 /MoS 2 -MoO X photoanode is approximately 27.5%, which is a significant improvement over that of bare WO 3. The WO 3 /MoS 2 -MoO X photoanode produced 54.5 μmolcm−2 of H 2 and 25.8 μmolcm−2 of O 2 after 2 h, at 1.23 V vs. RHE and 100 mWcm−2. The electrochemical kinetics clearly showed that water oxidation reaction was accelerated. The WO 3 /MoS 2 -MoO X photoanode, which was developed through simple and facial drop casting of MoS 2 nanosheets onto WO 3 photoanode, resulted in effective photogenerated carrier separation and enhanced oxygen evolution reactions on the anode surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Defect types of solid materials are classified. • The forms of various defects in graphynes are given. • The application of different defect types of graphynes are introduced. • The opportunities and challenges of defective graphynes are discussed. Graphynes have great application potential in energy storage and conversion. However, due to the limitation of specific surface area and active site, their energy storage capacity and catalytic efficiency are expected to be further improved. Defect engineering is a complex technique that can alter the geometry and chemical environment of a subject via introducing defects. Defects such as vacancy and heteroatom can expose a lot of coordination unsaturated sites, change the charge distribution around the carbon atom and improve graphynes cycle stability, thus markedly promoting the catalytic activity and significantly optimizing the battery energy storage of graphynes. In this paper, the research progress of defect engineering of graphynes in energy storage, electrocatalysis and photocatalysis is reviewed. Firstly, the classification of defects in solid materials and the forms of various defects in graphynes are given. Secondly, the application of different defect types, such as elemental doping, vacancy, single-atom catalyst and heterojunction on graphynes for energy storage, catalysis and solar cells are introduced. Finally, the opportunities and challenges for the future research on defective graphynes are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bio-inspired hybrid materials as photocatalysts. • Biopolymers as templates, supports, immobilisation substrates for photocatalysts. • Enzymes, peptides, proteins based materials-coupling biodegradation. • Greener synthesis of metal based photocatalysts-opportunities and developments. • Photocatalytic degradation of various pollutants by biomaterials-based catalysts. New materials tend to revolutionize scientific community and human race on a larger level. Scientists worldwide have not just been working on some wondrous materials with superior properties but have progressively focused on greener bio-inspired or bio-compatible materials for sustainable development. An increasing number of researchers have been working on using biomaterials as a part of photocatalysts for stability, bio-compatibility, generation of more reactive oxygen species and enhancement of optical absorption. In this review we have focussed on photocatalysts based on biopolymers, biochar, carbons, enzymes and proteins. This review presents various types of bio-inspired nanomaterials and their use as sustainable photocatalysts for degrading various venomous pollutants. The effect of pyrolysis temperature, temperature gradient, feedstock and synthetic route of biochar and carbon on the properties and final performance of derived photocatalysts has also been discussed. The increase in surface area, active adsorption sites, electron shuttling & reservoir properties, high visible absorption, charge separation and biocompatibility have also been elaborated. As far as photocatalytic performance is considered such bio-based photocatalysts are often questioned for their stability under such conditions and poor activity as compared to pure metal-based catalysts. These limitations can be overcome by choice of materials, modifications, new designing routes and coupling of biological methods and photocatalysis for removal of pollutants even from water from waste water treatment plants. Suitable modification to biomolecules as functionalisation has been reported for better adsorption of pollutants. The role of biomaterials in generation of reactive oxygen species, recombination suppression, interactions with pollutants, optical absorption, separation of charge carriers, shuttling and electron flow has also been elaborately explained. The concerns, challenges and future opportunities are also included in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]