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Viologen-linked covalent organic frameworks: A charged and redox-active platform for functional materials

Viologen-linked covalent organic frameworks (Vio-COFs) exhibit permanent positive charges, reversible redox activity, and extended π-conjugated frameworks, enabling precise control over charge distribution and electron-transfer pathways. Their unique properties make them suitable for advanced functional materials applications in energy...

SourceMaterials Futures·JournalMaterials Futures·DateSep 10, 2026

DGIST–Caltech joint research team secures key photocatalyst technology for converting greenhouse gases into future fuels

Researchers improved sunlight-driven photocatalyst performance by integrating two cocatalysts, stabilizing the unstable MoSe₂ phase and enhancing electron transfer. The new catalyst achieved a threefold increase in methane production compared to conventional TiO₂ photocatalysts.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalApplied Catalysis B Environment and Energy·DateAug 4, 2026

Harvesting UV Light from sunlight just got ‘solid’

Researchers at Kyushu University have created a solid-state material that converts visible light into ultraviolet (UV) light under ordinary outdoor sunlight, achieving a conversion efficiency of 1.9%. The material offers advantages for real-world use, including straightforward synthesis and low-cost starting materials.

SourceKyushu University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2026

From waste CO2 to high-value chemicals: a novel copper-based metal-organic framework material powers tandem using inexhaustible sunlight

A novel copper-based MOF material reduces CO2 to carbon monoxide and subsequently produces higher-value compounds, such as N-formamides, under visible light irradiation. The system offers a simpler and potentially greener alternative to conventional routes that rely on precious-metal catalysts and high temperatures.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateMay 19, 2026

Advanced chemical frameworks offer a photocatalytic solution for uranium extraction from water

Researchers develop heterocyclic-linked covalent organic frameworks (COFs) that utilize light to trigger specific redox reactions, reducing soluble uranium into insoluble forms. The materials have shown impressive photocatalytic uranium extraction efficiency and potential for environmental cleanup and nuclear fuel security.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalCarbon Research·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 11, 2026

Creating green materials with light: a breakthrough that could transform clean energy

Researchers at INRS have developed a photochemical synthesis strategy for metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), enabling precise control under ambient conditions. The approach significantly reduces energy consumption, leading to enhanced photocatalytic activity and improved structural precision.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2026

Gram-scale photocatalytic benzyl alcohol oxidation via photon-heteroatom jointly promoted redox cycling over nickel-based Pickering emulsion

A novel nickel-based Pickering emulsion catalyst enables gram-scale synthesis of high-purity benzaldehyde with co-produced hydrogen, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional fine chemical synthesis. The synergistic effect of photon-heteroatom jointly promoted redox cycling accelerates the dehydrogenation reaction.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2026

Beyond 1000 nm low-energy sunlight-driven photocatalysis

Scientists have developed a new system enabling unprecedented large-volume photocatalysis driven by low-energy sunlight with wavelengths beyond 1000 nm. The hybrid QDs/Th-DPP NIR-II photosensitizers achieved a record upconversion efficiency of 3.9%, overcoming spectral limitations of visible-light technologies.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateApr 12, 2026

Agricultural waste-derived biochar dramatically boosts ozone treatment to remove persistent water pollutant

Researchers developed a nitrogen-doped biochar that enhances ozone-based water treatment efficiency by over 100 times, removing persistent pollutants like DEET. The catalyst also shows strong performance against pharmaceuticals and herbicides, offering a promising solution for tackling emerging contaminants.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2026

Researchers develop biochar-based photocatalyst that rapidly removes antibiotic pollutants from water

A new biochar-enhanced photocatalyst has been developed to efficiently degrade antibiotic contaminants in water, with the material demonstrating remarkable ability to break down sulfadiazine. The photocatalyst harnesses sunlight to drive chemical reactions capable of degrading antibiotic molecules, and its performance is substantially ...

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

How materials informatics aids photocatalyst design for hydrogen production

A new photocatalyst design using machine learning interatomic potential calculations has successfully identified suitable dopants for a novel tin oxide material. The resulting aluminum-doped material produces 16 times more hydrogen under visible light than the undoped material, paving the way for next-generation clean energy applications.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2026

New method for housane synthesis

Chemists at the University of Münster developed a new method to produce high-grade housane molecules, which are small tri- or quadripartite ring molecules crucial for drug development and materials science. The reaction is triggered by photocatalysis, enabling efficient access to valuable products.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature Synthesis·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 19, 2026

DGIST identifies “magic blueprint” for converting carbon dioxide into resources through atom-level catalyst design

A research team has identified a principle for designing atomic-level interactions in catalysts to selectively produce desired products from carbon dioxide conversion. The discovery could lead to more efficient solar-driven carbon utilization technologies, addressing the climate crisis.

Achieving cross-coupling reactions of fatty amide reduction radicals via iridium-photorelay catalysis and other strategies

This method successfully solves the challenge of generating C,N,N-trialkyl α-amino radicals in aliphatic amides, enabling gram-scale reactions with low catalyst loadings. The reaction exhibits good functional group tolerance, making it suitable for late-stage modification of complex molecules.

SourceChinese Chemical Society·JournalCCS Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2026

Scientists design solar-responsive biochar that accelerates environmental cleanup

Researchers developed a new strategy to engineer biochar with enhanced sunlight-driven chemical activity, boosting its ability to drive light-powered reduction reactions. The findings suggest that biochar can dynamically transform under sunlight, participating in complex photochemical reactions that affect pollutant behavior and metal ...

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2026

Researchers enable microorganisms to build molecules with light

A team from the University of Illinois developed a photobiocatalytic platform that enables Escherichia coli to produce complex molecules through light-driven enzymatic reactions. This breakthrough broadens the capabilities of biomanufacturing, offering a promising avenue for sustainable production of chemicals and materials.

Photocatalysis enables direct coupling of native sugars and N-heteroarenes

A new 'capping-and-coupling' strategy transforms native sugars into compounds known as C-heteroaryl glycosides in one step through photocatalytic carbon-carbon bond formation. This breakthrough enables simple and efficient coupling of diverse nitrogen-containing aromatics, offering a powerful avenue for late-stage glycosylations.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Synthesis·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2026

Light powered catalyst breakthrough rapidly strips hidden carcinogenic precursors from drinking water sources

Researchers have developed a recyclable photocatalyst that harnesses visible light to efficiently remove fulvic acid and other organic pollutants from water. The BiOCl MXene composite achieved removal rates of up to 98.43% for fulvic acid in just 30 minutes, with high durability and versatility.

Engineered biochar enzyme system clears toxic phenolic acids and restores pepper seed germination in continuous cropping soils

A team of scientists developed a simple biochar-based technology to strip self-toxic chemicals from pepper growing soils and restore healthy seed germination. The engineered material, HRP CBC, consistently outperformed other treatments in removing toxic phenolic acids and achieving at least 50% removal within two hours.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2026

Robust new photocatalyst paves the way for cleaner hydrogen peroxide production and greener chemical manufacturing

A new photocatalyst has been developed that significantly boosts the efficiency and stability of hydrogen peroxide generation under visible light. The catalyst, known as a TTT COF, achieves nearly 30 millimoles per gram per hour in aqueous solution, outperforming its imine-based precursor.

Red light and recyclable catalysts drive sustainable photocatalysis

Researchers at CiQUS developed a sustainable method using red light and recyclable COF catalysts to promote chemical reactions efficiently. The study highlights the potential of COFs as red-light-active heterogeneous photocatalysts, offering a significant step toward greener chemical methodologies.

SourceCenter for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 21, 2025

Photocatalytic olefin double bond cleavage acylation

Researchers developed a novel photocatalytic carbon-carbon double bond cleavage strategy, achieving efficient synthesis of α-aryl ketones from anhydrides and aromatic olefins under mild conditions. The method exhibits metal-free nature, broad substrate applicability, and good functional group tolerance.

SourceChinese Chemical Society·JournalCCS Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 14, 2025

Directed co-catalyst deposition on organic semiconductor heterojunctions: A new strategy for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production

A new method for constructing heterojunctions using a small organic molecule containing multi-terminal pyridine and graphitic carbon nitride improves charge separation efficiency. This approach promotes the extensive deposition and uniform dispersion of metal atoms, leading to high photocatalytic hydrogen production rates.

SourceChinese Chemical Society·JournalCCS Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 6, 2025

Positive charges stabilize instantly in key solar fuel catalyst: New simulations track ultrafast polaron formation in NaTaO3.

Researchers used quantum-chemical molecular dynamics to visualize the ultrafast formation of polarons in NaTaO3, a key photocatalyst for solar water splitting. Positive hole polarons stabilize rapidly and significantly within 50 femtoseconds, while electron polarons show insignificant stabilization energy change.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2025

Study reveals how nitrogen atmosphere enhances performance of iron-biochar catalysts in wastewater treatment

Researchers found iron-biochar composites milled in a nitrogen atmosphere exhibit superior catalytic performance for degrading organic pollutants. The composite achieved a phenol removal rate of 90.3% when used to activate persulfate, outperforming those milled in air or vacuum.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2025

Researchers achieve light-induced heterolytic hydrogen dissociation at ambient temperature

A research team developed a photochemical strategy to realize heterolytic H2 dissociation using gold-loaded titanium dioxide as a model photocatalyst. The reaction was driven by electron-hole pairs formed upon UV irradiation, producing reactive H2 species that selectively reduced polar functional groups.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalScience·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 4, 2025

Metal-free catalysts break through in green H2O2 synthesis! Novel organic semiconductors enable high-efficiency interfacial reactions

Researchers have developed metal-free organic semiconductor photocatalytic H2O2 production, providing a robust material platform for green and efficient synthesis. Novel surface reactions can fundamentally increase the utility of photogenerated excitons by exploiting unexpected chemical processes.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateJul 21, 2025

Researchers realize in situ formation of functional materials in living systems

Scientists discovered a novel method to synthesize gold-polymer nanocomposites within living E. coli bacteria, creating natural microreactors for complex nanostructure formation. The approach enables spatially controlled and eco-friendly synthesis of functional materials.

SourceShenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2025