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Photocatalytic conversion of solar energy to hydrogen (H2) provides an efficient way for energy supply and storage. It is of great importance to improve the H2 production efficiency by constructing photocatalysts with rapid charge transfer and separation and a low energy barrier for H2 production. Here, we demonstrate high-efficiency photocatalytic H2 production on Cu-coordinated mesoporous g-C3N4 nanotubes. The catalyst exhibits a photocatalytic H2 production rate of 6.53 mmol g−1 h−1 under visible-light irradiation (λ > 420 nm), which is much higher than that over bulk g-C3N4 (0.58 mmol g−1 h−1) under the same conditions. Advanced characterization and density functional theory calculations reveal that such a catalyst has stronger light absorption, facilitated carrier transfer and separation, and a reduced H2 evolution barrier than Cu-free g-C3N4 nanotubes. This study provides a new insight into the design of photocatalytically active sites of catalysts for high-performance H2 production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, SnS2/polypyrrole (PPy) was synthesized, which shows high catalytic activity for the photocatalytic oxidation of benzylamine under mild conditions (at 25 °C, in air and without adding an additional sacrificial reagent, redox mediator and photosensitizer). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acidic electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 to multi‐carbon (C2+) oxygenates is of great importance in view of enhancing carbon utilization efficiency and generating products with high energy densities, but suffering from low selectivity and activity. Herein, we synthesized Ag−Cu alloy catalyst with highly rough surface, by which the selectivity to C2+ oxygenates can be greatly improved. In a strongly acidic condition (pH=0.75), the maximum C2+ products Faradaic efficiency (FE) and C2+ oxygenates FE reach 80.4 % and 56.5 % at −1.9 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, respectively, with a ratio of FEC2+ oxygenates to FEethylene up to 2.36. At this condition, the C2+ oxygenates partial current density is as high as 480 mA cm−2. The in situ spectra, control experiments and theoretical calculations indicate that the high generation of C2+ oxygenates over the catalyst originates from its large surface roughness and Ag alloying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acidic electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 to multi‐carbon (C2+) oxygenates is of great importance in view of enhancing carbon utilization efficiency and generating products with high energy densities, but suffering from low selectivity and activity. Herein, we synthesized Ag−Cu alloy catalyst with highly rough surface, by which the selectivity to C2+ oxygenates can be greatly improved. In a strongly acidic condition (pH=0.75), the maximum C2+ products Faradaic efficiency (FE) and C2+ oxygenates FE reach 80.4 % and 56.5 % at −1.9 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, respectively, with a ratio of FEC2+ oxygenates to FEethylene up to 2.36. At this condition, the C2+ oxygenates partial current density is as high as 480 mA cm−2. The in situ spectra, control experiments and theoretical calculations indicate that the high generation of C2+ oxygenates over the catalyst originates from its large surface roughness and Ag alloying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photocatalytic oxidation of biomass‐derived benzyl alcohol provides a promising way for the synthesis of benzoic acid, which is an important intermediate with wide applications. To improve the efficiency of photocatalytic benzyl alcohol oxidation to benzoic acid is of great interest. In this work, we propose the utilization of NH2‐UiO‐66‐ID‐Fe catalyst for photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzoic acid, where NH2‐UiO‐66 is a typically used metal‐organic framework, ID is indole‐2,3‐dione (ID) that has biocompatibility, light absorption property and can be covalently combined with amino‐functionalized substances. The NH2‐UiO‐66‐ID‐Fe catalyst exhibits improved light absorption and photo‐generated electron‐hole separation ability compared with NH2‐UiO‐66. The photocatalytic performance of NH2‐UiO‐66‐ID‐Fe was examined for the oxidation of bio‐based benzyl alcohol under mild conditions of air atmosphere, room temperature and no additive or additional oxidant involved. The results show that the conversion of benzyl alcohol and the selectivity to benzoic acid could both reach over 99 % in 6 h, and the generation rate of benzoic acid per gram of catalyst is 3.36 mmol g−1 h−1. The reaction mechanism was detected by radical trapping method and in situ electron paramagnetic resonance. This study presents an efficient and environmentally benign avenue for the synthesis of carboxylic acid compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide into multi-carbon products catalyzed by Cu/Cu2O nanocrystals, with a maximum C2+ faradaic efficiency of 75% in 0.10 M K2SO4 aqueous solution at −2.0 V versus Ag/AgCl and a partial current density of 34 mA cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we demonstrated a highly efficient photocatalytic sulfide oxidation reaction at ambient conditions without a sacrificial reagent or redox mediator, by using Co(NO3)2/covalent organic framework nanoparticles as a photocatalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical conversion of CO2 to valuable fuels is appealing for CO2 fixation and energy storage. The Cu‐based catalysts feature unique superiorities, but achieving high ethylene selectivity is still restricted. In this study, we propose the anchoring of an ionic liquid (IL) on a Cu electrocatalyst for improving the electrochemical CO2 reduction to ethylene. In a water‐based electrolyte and a commonly used H‐type cell, a high ethylene Faradaic efficiency of 77.3 % was achieved at −1.49 V (vs. RHE). Experimental and theoretical studies reveal that an IL can modify the electronic structure of a Cu catalyst through its interaction with Cu, making it more conducive to *CO dimerization for ethylene formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical conversion of CO2 to valuable fuels is appealing for CO2 fixation and energy storage. The Cu‐based catalysts feature unique superiorities, but achieving high ethylene selectivity is still restricted. In this study, we propose the anchoring of an ionic liquid (IL) on a Cu electrocatalyst for improving the electrochemical CO2 reduction to ethylene. In a water‐based electrolyte and a commonly used H‐type cell, a high ethylene Faradaic efficiency of 77.3 % was achieved at −1.49 V (vs. RHE). Experimental and theoretical studies reveal that an IL can modify the electronic structure of a Cu catalyst through its interaction with Cu, making it more conducive to *CO dimerization for ethylene formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using solar energy to realize CO2 reduction and benzylamine oxidation is of great importance. Here, we design Zn-Bi2WO6 microflowers catalyst, which can simultaneously reduce CO2 to CO and oxidize benzylamine to N-benzylbenzaldimine with high activities and selectivities in a simple photocatalytic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we demonstrate the highly efficient photocatalytic sulfide oxidation reaction under mild conditions, i.e. in air, at room temperature and in the absence of a sacrificial reagent, co-catalyst or redox mediator, by using ultrathin C,N-TiO2 nanosheets as a photocatalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we demonstrate that the utilization of 2,4,6-tris(4-pyridyl)pyridine (tpy) for metal–organic framework modification can greatly improve the photocatalytic performance for CO2 reduction. The electron-donating nature of tpy enables the charge transfer effect, which induces strong CO2 binding affinity, facilitates *COOH formation and promotes CO2-to-CO conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical conversion of CO 2 to chemicals is an appealing route to reduce carbon emission and achieve carbon neutrality. Indium (In) is a promising electrocatalyst for CO 2 -to-formate conversion due to its high selectivity to formate, but is still hindered by low current density and poor stability. In this work, we propose the construction of In nanotubes from MIL-68(In) metal-organic framework nanotubes by a electrolytic route, which is simple, rapid and low-cost. Benefiting from the nanotube morphology and abundant unsaturated coordination In sites, the as-synthesized In nanotubes exhibit high performance for the electrochemical CO 2 -to-formate conversion. The formate Faradaic efficiency can reach 98.6% at −1.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode by using 0.5 M KHCO 3 aqueous solution as electrolyte in H-cell, with current density of 24.8 mA cm−2. We demonstrate the construction of Indium (In) nanotubes that possess abundant unsaturated coordination In sites, derived from MIL-68(In) by a rapid electrolytic route (30 min). The In nanotubes exhibit high performance for electrocatalytic CO 2 -to-formate conversion. The maximum formate Faradaic efficiency reaches 98.6% at −1.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode in H-cell, with current density of 24.8 mA cm−2. [Display omitted] • Indium nanotubes were synthesized by electrolysis for metal-organic framework. • Indium nanotubes possess abundant unsaturated coordination active sites. • Indium nanotubes show high activity for carbon dioxide electroreduction to formate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we demonstrate for the first time the one-step synthesis of ultrathin α-Co(OH)2 nanomeshes by an imidazole-directed route. The α-Co(OH)2 nanomeshes combine the advantages of ultrathin thickness (3 nm), small mesopores (3.7 nm), large specific surface area (181.1 m2 g−1) and high surface oxygen vacancy density, which exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance for the oxygen evolution reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]