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The catalytic potential of single atom incorporated heterostructures holds substantial promise because of their ability to offer customizable chemical functionality and abundant active sites. In this study, a novel approach is employed to synthesize ruthenium single atoms (RuSA) implanted on bimetallic NiFe-LDH derived sulfide nanosheet heterostructures (RuSA-NiS2-FeS2) via a facile technique. Experimental findings demonstrate that RuSA-NiS2-FeS2 exhibits lower overpotential (η) for water splitting. Specifically, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) overpotentials at current densities of (10 and 100) mA cm−2 are measured to be (57 and 187) mV, respectively. Similarly, at (20 and 100) mA cm−2, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) overpotentials are recorded to be (242 and 304) mV, respectively. Conspicuously, the RuSA-NiS2-FeS2 (+, −) electrolyzer requires cell potentials of (1.47 and 1.74) V at (10 and 100) mA cm−2, lower than the cell potentials of (1.57 and 1.92) V required by the RuO2@NF (+)//Pt–C@NF (−) device to achieve similar current densities. These experimental results and the Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations unveil that our research offers a promising method for single atom implanted heterostructures that can be used for large-scale clean hydrogen production through water electrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of highly efficient and low-priced multi-functional electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial for robust zinc–air batteries (ZABs) and water electrolyzers. Herein, we report the preparation of novel Mott–Schottky Co2P/Co heterostructures encapsulated by N,P co-doped graphene and carbon nanotubes (Co2P/Co@N-CNT/NPG) using an in situ pyrolysis strategy, achieving superior trifunctional catalyst performance for the ORR, OER, and HER. The theoretical calculation indicates that the synergistic effect of the Mott–Schottky catalyst could increase the electron transport, trigger the active sites, and enhance the performance toward the ORR/OER. The Co2P/Co@N-CNT/NPG-based ZAB displays a considerable peak power density of 145 mW cm−2, and an outstanding cycle-life of 800 h. Furthermore, the flexible ZAB delivers superior mechanical properties with high flexibility, demonstrating its potential feasibility for practical application. Additionally, the water electrolysis device constructed using Co2P/Co@N-CNT/NPG electrodes requires a small cell voltage of 1.66 V at 10 mA cm−2, indicating the impressive ability to apply the catalyst for commercial energy storage and harvesting devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the critical challenge of predicting sediment behavior in a semi-enclosed estuary, where the interplay between artificial freshwater discharge and seawater significantly impacts turbidity. Such environments are characterized by complex hydrodynamic interactions that lead to cycles of sediment settling and resuspension, influenced by tidal forces. To tackle this problem, we employed machine learning, leveraging its capability to analyze and predict complex non-linear phenomena. Our approach involved extensive transect observations conducted over two years, encompassing 11 ebb tide and 9 flood tide cycles. These observations were crucial for training the machine learning model, ensuring it captured the nuanced dynamics of sediment behavior under varying hydrodynamic conditions. The necessity of this research lies in its potential to enhance our understanding of sediment dynamics in estuaries, a vital aspect for environmental management and engineering projects. The findings demonstrate a promising alignment between the machine learning model's predictions and the theoretically assumed sediment behavior, highlighting the model's effectiveness in deciphering and predicting turbidity patterns in these challenging environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]