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Engineering COFs for oxygen electrocatalysis: From active sites to reaction mechanisms

Researchers develop COF-based oxygen electrocatalysts with controlled active sites, electronic structure, and mass transport, achieving high performance and selectivity. The review highlights molecular-level tunability and theoretical design approaches to optimize oxygen-intermediate adsorption and reaction pathways.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeNews article·DateSep 21, 2026

Nano-biochar uses pH and superoxide radicals to transform toxic silver ions in water

Researchers have found that nano-biochar can rapidly transform silver ions into silver nanoparticles under alkaline conditions, with superoxide radicals playing a key role in the process. The study also showed that the structure of nano-biochar and pH conditions can control metal transformations in water.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2026

Curved carbon architecture tunes Co-N4 sites for more efficient oxygen electrocatalysis

Researchers developed a cobalt-based catalyst that efficiently promotes oxygen reduction and evolution reactions in zinc-air batteries. The catalyst's curved carbon support and cobalt nanoparticles work together to improve oxygen electrocatalysis, enabling long-term bifunctional performance.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2026

Biochar’s hidden electron power could unlock cleaner pollution control and energy recovery

A new review highlights the potential of biochar's intrinsic redox properties to enhance pollutant degradation, microbial processes, and energy recovery. Biochar can act like an electron shuttle or buffer, transferring electrons more efficiently than highly conductive materials in stressed environments.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 11, 2026

Iron-modified biochar turns soil oxygen into a cleaner for antibiotic pollution

A new iron-modified biochar catalyst activates natural oxygen and iron cycling in farmland soil, breaking down sulfamethoxazole at a 4.2-fold increase under laboratory conditions. The material also achieved strong pollutant removal, with degradation reaching 81.2% under favorable soil moisture conditions.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 3, 2026

Engineered biochar unlocks soil’s natural chemistry to break down antibiotic pollution

A new study reveals how an advanced iron-modified biochar can harness the natural chemistry of soils to break down persistent antibiotic contaminants. The biochar activates naturally occurring oxygen in soils to generate highly reactive hydroxyl radicals, enabling the in situ degradation of contaminants without external chemical inputs.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 2, 2026

Turning plant waste into power: A structural and chemical leap for supercapacitor technology

Researchers from Southeast University and Nanjing Normal University create supercapacitor technology using plant waste, enabling rapid-charging energy storage at 4.0 volts. The innovative approach combines a custom electrode with a specialized electrolyte to stabilize the system.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalCarbon Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2026

Lead-acid battery inspired catalyst design: Pb doped RuIrOx for efficient and durable acidic oxygen evolution in proton exchange membrane electrolyzers at 3 A/cm2

Researchers developed a novel lead-doped ruthenium-iridium oxide catalyst for oxygen evolution reactions in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers, surpassing commercial IrO₂ and RuO₂ electrodes. The catalyst enables efficient and durable operation at high current densities, reducing precious metal consumption.

SourceSongshan Lake Materials Laboratory·JournalMaterials Futures·DateNov 24, 2025

Inexpensive multifunctional composite paves the way to a circular economy

Researchers at Shinshu University developed a novel copper-cobalt oxide composite that excels in energy storage, environmental remediation and water splitting. The material boasts high specific capacitance, exceptional stability and numerous active catalytic sites, making it a promising low-cost alternative to conventional catalysts.

SourceShinshu University·JournalAdvanced Composites and Hybrid Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2025

SNU materials science and engineering team identifies reconstruction mechanism of copper alloy catalysts for CO₂ conversion

Researchers identified reconstruction mechanism of copper alloy catalysts during electrochemical CO₂ conversion reactions. The findings provide a 'design map' for understanding and predicting surface reconstruction, enabling the design of dynamic catalysts that adapt during operation.

SourceSeoul National University College of Engineering·JournalNature Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 18, 2025

Fullerene's role as an efficient, metal-free catalyst for clean energy

Researchers at Tohoku University found that C60 fullerene can serve as an active catalytic site for CO2 electroreduction, improving the efficiency of reactions like hydrogen evolution and carbon dioxide reduction. The discovery opens new possibilities for designing efficient, metal-free catalysts to combat climate change.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 20, 2025

Chemical fermentation-induced porous bio-carbon with embedded Ni–Fe alloy for ultra-efficient oxygen evolution electrocatalysis

Researchers introduce a novel electrocatalyst design strategy using chemical fermentation, creating a multilevel porous carbon architecture embedded with Ni–Fe alloy nanoparticles. This approach achieves ultra-efficient oxygen evolution reaction performance, with a record-low overpotential of 165 mV at 10 mA cm−2.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 30, 2025

Amorphous Ni-Fe Oxide: A high-performance, low-cost OER electrocatalyst for AEMWEs

Researchers developed amorphous Ni-Fe mixed oxides using sol-gel method to enhance oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity and operational durability in anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs). The material demonstrated optimal OER performance, achieving a low overpotential of 291 mV and remarkable stability.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 14, 2025

Efficiently and sustainably killing bacteria

A new electrocatalytic sterilization method has been introduced using copper oxide nanowires to produce highly alkaline microenvironments that efficiently kill bacteria. Most conventional disinfection methods have disadvantages such as harmful by-products and high energy consumption.

SourceWiley·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2025

Self-optimizing catalysts facilitate water-splitting for the green production of hydrogen

Researchers have developed cost-effective and efficient water-splitting catalysts using cobalt and tungsten, which surprisingly increase in performance over time. The unique self-optimization process involves changes in the chemical nature of the catalyzing oxide, leading to improved activity and reduced overpotentials.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMar 11, 2025

Mizzou scientists develop a method that could lower medicine costs and contribute to cleaner energy and sustainability

Researchers have developed a novel electrochemistry approach to build new molecules using micelles from naturally occurring amino acids and coconut oil. This breakthrough method could reduce the cost of making medicines by combining solvents, electrolytes, and reaction boosters into one simple tool.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMar 3, 2025

Researchers uncover key insights into CO₂ reduction using SnO-based electrocatalysts

A study by the Advanced Institute for Materials Research found that tin monoxide (SnO) electrocatalysts can produce both formic acid and carbon monoxide in significant amounts. The research team identified key structural changes that influence product distribution, providing insights into optimizing electrocatalyst performance.

Analyzing the structure-performance relationships of electrocatalysts

The study proposes a strategy to use spinel oxides, particularly those involving rare-earth cerium substitution, to improve the oxygen evolution reaction. The team found that adding Ce promotes the lattice oxygen pathway, leading to highly active spinel oxide catalysts for electrochemical reactions.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 20, 2024

Carbon recycling instead of plastic trash

A German research team has developed an electrocatalytic method for efficient degradation of polystyrene plastic waste, producing monomeric benzoyl products and short polymer chains. The process uses an inexpensive iron catalyst and can be powered by solar panels, combining recycling with green hydrogen production.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 11, 2024

Layered high-entropy sulfides: Boosting electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction by cocktail effects

The study demonstrates the exceptional efficiency of layered high-entropy sulfides in boosting electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction. The introduction of molybdenum into the composition creates a unique layered structure that increases the material's surface area and enhances its catalytic efficiency.

SourceSongshan Lake Materials Laboratory·JournalMaterials Futures·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 28, 2024

Recent advances in cation effects for electrocatalytic reduction reactions

Researchers have discovered various ways to optimize electrocatalytic reduction reactions by tuning the type and concentration of cations, improving their activity, selectivity, and efficiency. The study provides a comprehensive overview of cation effects on catalytic reduction reactions, highlighting both opportunities and challenges.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateOct 8, 2024

Exploring ternary metal sulfides as electrocatalyst for carbon dioxide reduction reactions

Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel screening methodology using machine learning to identify key design guidelines for ternary metal sulfide electrocatalysts. Focusing on crystal structure leads to better results, overcoming challenges in material properties and electrochemical performance analysis.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 12, 2024