Reductive Transformation of Layered‐Double‐Hydroxide Nanosheets to Fe‐Based Heterostructures for Efficient Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Hydrogenation of CO

Conversion of syngas (CO, H₂) to hydrocarbons, commonly known as the Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis, represents a fundamental pillar in today's chemical industry and is typically carried out under technically demanding conditions (1–3 MPa, 300–400 °C). Photocatalysis using sunlight offers an alternative and potentially more sustainable approach for the transformation of small molecules (H₂O, CO, CO₂, N₂, etc.) to high‐valuable products, including hydrocarbons. Herein, a novel series of Fe‐based heterostructured photocatalysts (Fe‐x) is successfully fabricated via H₂ reduction of ZnFeAl‐layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets at temperatures (x) in the range 300–650 °C. At a reduction temperature of 500 °C, the heterostructured photocatalyst formed (Fe‐500) consists of Fe⁰ and FeO_x nanoparticles supported by ZnO and amorphous Al₂O₃. Fe‐500 demonstrates remarkable CO hydrogenation performance with very high initial selectivities toward hydrocarbons (89%) and especially light olefins (42%), and a very low selectivity towards CO₂ (11%). The intimate and abundant interfacial contacts between metallic Fe⁰ and FeO_x in the Fe‐500 photocatalyst underpins its outstanding photocatalytic performance. The photocatalytic production of high‐value light olefins with suppressed CO₂ selectivity from CO hydrogenation is demonstrated here.     

Pd Single‐Atom Catalysts on Nitrogen‐Doped Graphene for the Highly Selective Photothermal Hydrogenation of Acetylene to Ethylene

The selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene in an ethylene‐rich gas stream is an important process in the chemical industry. Pd‐based catalysts are widely used in this reaction due to their excellent hydrogenation activity, though their selectivity for acetylene hydrogenation and durability need improvement. Herein, the successful synthesis of atomically dispersed Pd single‐atom catalysts on nitrogen‐doped graphene (Pd₁/N‐graphene) by a freeze‐drying‐assisted method is reported. The Pd₁/N‐graphene catalyst exhibits outstanding activity and selectivity for the hydrogenation of C₂H₂ with H₂ in the presence of excess C₂H₄ under photothermal heating (UV and visible‐light irradiation from a Xe lamp), achieving 99% conversion of acetylene and 93.5% selectivity to ethylene at 125 °C. This remarkable catalytic performance is attributed to the high concentration of Pd active sites on the catalyst surface and the weak adsorption energy of ethylene on isolated Pd atoms, which prevents C₂H₄ hydrogenation. Importantly, the Pd₁/N‐graphene catalyst exhibits excellent durability at the optimal reaction temperature of 125 °C, which is explained by the strong local coordination of Pd atoms by nitrogen atoms, which suppresses the Pd aggregation. The results presented here encourage the wider pursuit of solar‐driven photothermal catalyst systems based on single‐atom active sites for selective hydrogenation reactions.     

Alumina‐Supported CoFe Alloy Catalysts Derived from Layered‐Double‐Hydroxide Nanosheets for Efficient Photothermal CO2 Hydrogenation to Hydrocarbons

A series of novel CoFe‐based catalysts are successfully fabricated by hydrogen reduction of CoFeAl layered‐double‐hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets at 300–700 °C. The chemical composition and morphology of the reaction products (denoted herein as CoFe‐x) are highly dependent on the reduction temperature (x). CO₂ hydrogenation experiments are conducted on the CoFe‐x catalysts under UV–vis excitation. With increasing LDH‐nanosheet reduction temperature, the CoFe‐x catalysts show a progressive selectivity shift from CO to CH₄, and eventually to high‐value hydrocarbons (C₂₊). CoFe‐650 shows remarkable selectivity toward hydrocarbons (60% CH₄, 35% C₂₊). X‐ray absorption fine structure, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations demonstrate that alumina‐supported CoFe‐alloy nanoparticles are responsible for the high selectivity of CoFe‐650 for C₂₊ hydrocarbons, also allowing exploitation of photothermal effects. This study demonstrates a vibrant new catalyst platform for harnessing clean, abundant solar‐energy to produce valuable chemicals and fuels from CO₂.     

Well‐Combined Magnetically Separable Hybrid Cobalt Ferrite/Nitrogen‐Doped Graphene as Efficient Catalyst with Superior Performance for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Catalysts with low‐cost, high activity and stability toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are extremely desirable, but its development still remains a great challenge. Here, a novel magnetically separable hybrid of multimetal oxide, cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄), anchored on nitrogen‐doped reduced graphene oxide (CoFe₂O₄/NG) is prepared via a facile solvothermal method followed by calcination at 500 °C. The structure of CoFe₂O₄/NG and the interaction of both components are analyzed by several techniques. The possible formation of Co/Fe N interaction in the CoFe₂O₄/NG catalyst is found. As a result, the well‐combination of CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles with NG and its improved crystallinity lead to a synergistic and efficient catalyst with high performance to ORR through a four‐electron‐transfer process in alkaline medium. The CoFe₂O₄/NG exhibits particularly comparable catalytic activity as commercial Pt/C catalyst, and superior stability against methanol oxidation and CO poisoning. Meanwhile, it has been proved that both nitrogen doping and the spinel structure of CoFe₂O₄ can have a significant contribution to the catalytic activity by contrast experiments. Multimetal oxide hybrid demonstrates better catalysis to ORR than a single metal oxide hybrid. All results make the low‐cost and magnetically separable CoFe₂O₄/NG a promising alternative for costly platinum‐based ORR catalyst in fuel cells and metal‐air batteries.     

An integrated solution for NOx‐reduction and ‐control under lean‐burn conditions

Upcoming emission regulations order highly effective NO_x‐reduction systems in lean‐burn engines requiring new catalytic materials and integrated control of the reduction process. Thus, new approaches for NO_x‐reduction and its monitoring over an On‐Board‐Diagnostic (OBD) system are suggested throughout the globe. A promising attempt is the development of a catalytic system having an integrated NO_x‐sensor, based on selective catalytic reduction process and impedance sensors. The study displays the results achieved both with a perovskite type of self‐regenerative catalyst functioning by H₂‐reductant and with impedance NO_x‐sensors. The catalysts were tested at the temperature range of 150 °C to 360 °C yielding NO_x conversion rates of 92 % with high selectivity to N₂. Impedance sensors having NiCr₂O₄‐ and NiO‐SE and PYSZ‐ and FYSZ‐electrolytes are developed and tested at 600 °C under lean atmosphere (5 vol. % O₂). Better sensing behaviour towards NO and lower cross‐selectivity towards O₂, CO, CO₂ and CH₄ have been observed with sensors having NiO‐SE.     

Electrosynthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide Synergistically Catalyzed by Atomic Co–Nx–C Sites and Oxygen Functional Groups in Noble‐Metal‐Free Electrocatalysts

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a green oxidizer widely involved in a vast number of chemical reactions. Electrochemical reduction of oxygen to H₂O₂ constitutes an environmentally friendly synthetic route. However, the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is kinetically sluggish and undesired water serves as the main product on most electrocatalysts. Therefore, electrocatalysts with high reactivity and selectivity are highly required for H₂O₂ electrosynthesis. In this work, a synergistic strategy is proposed for the preparation of H₂O₂ electrocatalysts with high ORR reactivity and high H₂O₂ selectivity. A Co?N_x?C site and oxygen functional group comodified carbon‐based electrocatalyst (named as Co–POC–O) is synthesized. The Co–POC–O electrocatalyst exhibits excellent catalytic performance for H₂O₂ electrosynthesis in O₂‐saturated 0.10 m KOH with a high selectivity over 80% as well as very high reactivity with an ORR potential at 1 mA cm^?2 of 0.79 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). Further mechanism study identifies that the Co?N_x?C sites and oxygen functional groups contribute to the reactivity and selectivity for H₂O₂ electrogeneration, respectively. This work affords not only an emerging strategy to design H₂O₂ electrosynthesis catalysts with remarkable performance, but also the principles of rational combination of multiple active sites for green and sustainable synthesis of chemicals through electrochemical processes.     

Nanocatalysts‐Augmented and Photothermal‐Enhanced Tumor‐Specific Sequential Nanocatalytic Therapy in Both NIR‐I and NIR‐II Biowindows

The tumor microenvironment (TME) has been increasingly recognized as a crucial contributor to tumorigenesis. Based on the unique TME for achieving tumor‐specific therapy, here a novel concept of photothermal‐enhanced sequential nanocatalytic therapy in both NIR‐I and NIR‐II biowindows is proposed, which innovatively changes the condition of nanocatalytic Fenton reaction for production of highly efficient hydroxyl radicals (?OH) and consequently suppressing the tumor growth. Evidence suggests that glucose plays a vital role in powering cancer progression. Encouraged by the oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid and H₂O₂ by glucose oxidase (GOD), an Fe₃O₄/GOD‐functionalized polypyrrole (PPy)‐based composite nanocatalyst is constructed to achieve diagnostic imaging‐guided, photothermal‐enhanced, and TME‐specific sequential nanocatalytic tumor therapy. The consumption of intratumoral glucose by GOD leads to the in situ elevation of the H₂O₂ level, and the integrated Fe₃O₄ component then catalyzes H₂O₂ into highly toxic ?OH to efficiently induce cancer‐cell death. Importantly, the high photothermal‐conversion efficiency (66.4% in NIR‐II biowindow) of the PPy component elevates the local tumor temperature in both NIR‐I and NIR‐II biowindows to substaintially accelerate and improve the nanocatalytic disproportionation degree of H₂O₂ for enhancing the nanocatalytic‐therapeutic efficacy, which successfully achieves a remarkable synergistic anticancer outcome with minimal side effects.     

Recent Advances in Direct Synthesis of Value‐Added Aromatic Chemicals from Syngas by Cascade Reactions over Bifunctional Catalysts

Value‐added aromatic monomers such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX) are very important building‐block chemicals for the production of plastics, polymers, solvents, pesticides, dyes, and adhesives. Syngas‐to‐aromatics (STA) is a very promising approach for the synthesis of aromatic monomers, and is catalyzed via bifunctional catalysts in a single reactor, wherein methanol/dimethyl ether and/or olefins intermediates formed from syngas on metal components are converted into aromatic monomers exclusively on the HZSM‐5 by cascade reactions. Since an optimal Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) temperature of Fe‐based catalysts is very close to an aromatization temperature of HZSM‐5, Fe‐based catalysts have been frequently used/modified for the synthesis of aromatic monomers from hydrogenation of carbon oxides (CO and CO₂). The nature of metal components and amounts of Brönsted acid sites on HZSM‐5, and their mesoporosity and intimacy, significantly alter the selectivity for aromatics by tuning BTX distibution and catalyst stability. Although many developments have been achieved regarding the STA process in recent years, no reviews have been published in this flourishing research area over the last two decades. Here, the recent advances and forthcoming challenges in the progress of syngas (CO+H₂) chemistry and hydrogenation of CO₂ toward the value‐added aromatic monomers through cascade reactions are highlighted.     

Rational Design of Multifunctional Fe@γ‐Fe2O3@H‐TiO2 Nanocomposites with Enhanced Magnetic and Photoconversion Effects for Wide Applications: From Photocatalysis to Imaging‐Guided Photothermal Cancer Therapy

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has been widely investigated and used in many areas due to its high refractive index and ultraviolet light absorption, but the lack of absorption in the visible–near infrared (Vis–NIR) region limits its application. Herein, multifunctional Fe@γ‐Fe₂O₃@H‐TiO₂ nanocomposites (NCs) with multilayer‐structure are synthesized by one‐step hydrogen reduction, which show remarkably improved magnetic and photoconversion effects as a promising generalists for photocatalysis, bioimaging, and photothermal therapy (PTT). Hydrogenation is used to turn white TiO₂ in to hydrogenated TiO₂ (H‐TiO₂), thus improving the absorption in the Vis–NIR region. Based on the excellent solar‐driven photocatalytic activities of the H‐TiO₂ shell, the Fe@γ‐Fe₂O₃ magnetic core is introduced to make it convenient for separating and recovering the catalytic agents. More importantly, Fe@γ‐Fe₂O₃@H‐TiO₂ NCs show enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency due to more circuit loops for electron transitions between H‐TiO₂ and γ‐Fe₂O₃, and the electronic structures of Fe@γ‐Fe₂O₃@H‐TiO₂ NCs are calculated using the Vienna ab initio simulation package based on the density functional theory to account for the results. The reported core–shell NCs can serve as an NIR‐responsive photothermal agent for magnetic‐targeted photothermal therapy and as a multimodal imaging probe for cancer including infrared photothermal imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, and photoacoustic imaging.     

Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanotube Confined Co–Nx Sites for Selective Hydrogenation of Biomass‐Derived Compounds

Biomass is the most abundant renewable resource on earth and developing high‐performance nonprecious selective hydrogenation (SH) catalysts will enable the use of biomass to replace rapidly diminishing fossil resources. This work utilizes ZIF‐67‐derived nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotubes to confine Co nanoparticles (NPs) with Co–N_x active sites as a high‐performance SH catalyst. The confined Co NPs with Co–N_x exhibit excellent catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability toward a wide range of biomass‐derived compounds. Such active sites can selectively hydrogenate aldehyde, ketone, carboxyl, and nitro groups of biomass‐derived compounds into value‐added fine chemicals with 100% selectivity. The reported approach could be adopted to create other forms of catalytically active sites from other nonprecious metals.     

Programmable NIR‐II Photothermal‐Enhanced Starvation‐Primed Chemodynamic Therapy using Glucose Oxidase‐Functionalized Ancient Pigment Nanosheets

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has attracted considerable attention recently, but the poor reaction kinetics restrict its practical utility in clinic. Herein, glucose oxidase (GOx) functionalized ancient pigment nanosheets (SrCuSi₄O₁₀, SC) for programmable near‐infrared II (NIR‐II) photothermal‐enhanced starvation primed CDT is developed. The SC nanosheets (SC NSs) are readily exfoliated from SC bulk suspension in water and subsequently functionalized with GOx to form the nanocatalyst (denoted as SC@G NSs). Upon laser irradiation, the photothermal effect of SC NSs can enhance the catalytic activity of GOx for NIR‐II photothermal‐enhanced starvation therapy, which effectively eliminates intratumoral glucose and produces abundant hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Importantly, the high photothermal‐conversion efficiency (46.3%) of SC@G NSs in second biological window permits photothermal therapy of deep‐seated tumors under the guidance of NIR‐II photoacoustic imaging. Moreover, the acidity amplification due to gluconic acid generation will in turn accelerate the degradation of SC NSs, facilitating the release of strontium (Sr) and copper (Cu) ions. Both the elevated H₂O₂ and the released ions will prime the Cu²⁺/Sr²⁺‐H₂O₂ reaction for enhanced CDT. Thus, a programmable NIR‐II photothermal‐enhanced starvation primed CDT is established to combat cancer with minimal side effects.     

Promoting Oxygen Evolution Reaction of Co‐Based Catalysts (Co3O4, CoS,CoP, and CoN) through Photothermal Effect

The increase of reaction temperature of electrocatalysts is regarded as an efficient method to improve the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity. Herein, it is reported that the electrocatalytic performance of dual functional (i.e., electrocatalytic and photothermal functions) Co₃O₄ can be dramatically improved via its photothermal effect. The operating temperature of the Co₃O₄ electrode is elevated in situ under near infrared (NIR) light irradiation, resulting in enhanced oxygen evolution activity due to its accelerated electrical conductivity, reaction kinetics, and desorption rate of O₂ bubbles from the electrode. In addition, photothermal effect can also enhance the electrocatalytic reaction rates of metal‐doped Co₃O₄ electrodes, indicating that it is able to significantly improve the OER activities of electrodes together with other modification strategies. With the assistance of the photothermal effect, the obtained Ni‐doped Co₃O₄ catalyst requires an extremely low overpotential of 208 mV to achieve a benchmark of 10 mA cm^?2 with a small Tafel slope, superior to most reported Co‐based catalysts. Significantly, the electrocatalytic performance of other electrodes with photothermal effect, such as CoN, CoP, and CoS, are also boosted under NIR light irradiation, indicating opportunities for implementing photothermal enhancement in electrocatalytic water splitting.     

Metal–Organic Framework Hybrid‐Assisted Formation of Co3O4/Co‐Fe Oxide Double‐Shelled Nanoboxes for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution

Rational design of complex metal–organic framework (MOF) hybrid precursors offers a great opportunity to construct various functional nanostructures. Here, a novel MOF‐hybrid‐assisted strategy to synthesize Co₃O₄/Co‐Fe oxide double‐shelled nanoboxes is reported. In the first step, zeolitic imidazolate framework‐67 (ZIF‐67, a Co‐based MOF)/Co‐Fe Prussian blue analogue (PBA) yolk–shell nanocubes are formed via a facile anion‐exchange reaction between ZIF‐67 nanocube precursors and [Fe(CN)₆]^3? ions at room temperature. Subsequently, an annealing treatment is applied to prepare Co₃O₄/Co‐Fe oxide double‐shelled nanoboxes. Owing to the structural and compositional benefits, the as‐derived Co₃O₄/Co‐Fe oxide double‐shelled nanoboxes exhibit enhanced electrocatalytic performance for oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline solution.     

An Earth‐Abundant Catalyst‐Based Seawater Photoelectrolysis System with 17.9% Solar‐to‐Hydrogen Efficiency

The implementation of water splitting systems, powered by sustainable energy resources, appears to be an attractive strategy for producing high‐purity H₂ in the absence of the release of carbon dioxide (CO₂). However, the high cost, impractical operating conditions, and unsatisfactory efficiency and stability of conventional methods restrain their large‐scale development. Seawater covers 70% of the Earth's surface and is one of the most abundant natural resources on the planet. New research is looking into the possibility of using seawater to produce hydrogen through electrolysis and will provide remarkable insight into sustainable H₂ production, if successful. Here, guided by density functional theory (DFT) calculations to predict the selectivity of gas‐evolving catalysts, a seawater‐splitting device equipped with affordable state‐of‐the‐art electrocatalysts composed of earth‐abundant elements (Fe, Co, Ni, and Mo) is demonstrated. This device shows excellent durability and specific selectivity toward the oxygen evolution reaction in seawater with near 100% Faradaic efficiency for the production of H₂ and O₂. Powered by a single commercial III–V triple‐junction photovoltaic cell, the integrated system achieves spontaneous and efficient generation of high‐purity H₂ and O₂ from seawater at neutral pH with a remarkable 17.9% solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiency.     

H2S‐Scavenged and Activated Iron Oxide‐Hydroxide Nanospindles for MRI‐Guided Photothermal Therapy and Ferroptosis in Colon Cancer

Overproduced hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is of vital importance for the progress of colon cancer and promotes cancer cellular proliferation. Devising pharmacological nanomaterials for tumor‐specific H₂S activation will be significant for precise colon cancer treatment. Herein, a biocompatible fusiform iron oxide‐hydroxide nanospindles (FeOOH NSs) nanosystem for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ferroptosis, and H₂S based cascade reaction‐enhanced combinational colon cancer treatment is developed. The FeOOH NSs can effectively scavenge endogenous H₂S via the reduction reaction to prohibit the growth of CT26 colon cancer. The cascade produced FeS driven by overexpressed H₂S exhibits near‐infrared‐triggered photothermal therapy capability and Fe²⁺‐mediated ferroptosis functionality. Meanwhile, the as‐prepared FeOOH NSs can light up tumor tissues as a potent MRI contrast agent. Additionally, FeOOH NSs present desirable biosafety in a murine model for up to three months and avoid any long‐term toxicity. Furthermore, it is found that these H₂S‐responsible nanotheranostics do not cause any cure effects on other cancer types, such as 4T1 breast cancer. Overall, the findings illustrate that the biocompatible FeOOH NSs can be successfully employed as a theranostic for specifically treating colon cancer, which may promote the clinical translation and development of H₂S‐responsive nanoplatforms.     

Well‐Defined Single‐Atom Cobalt Catalyst for Electrocatalytic Flue Gas CO2 Reduction

Single‐atom Co catalyst Co‐Tpy‐C with well‐defined sites is synthesized by pyrolysis of a Co terpyridine (Tpy) organometallic complex. The Co‐Tpy‐C catalyst exhibits excellent activity for the electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction in aqueous electrolyte, with CO faradaic efficiency (FE) of over 95% from ?0.7 to ?1.0 V (vs RHE). By comparison, catalysts without Co or Tpy ligand added do not show any high CO FE. When simulated flue gas with 15% of CO₂ is used as the source of CO₂, CO FE is kept at 90.1% at ?0.5 V versus RHE. During gas phase flow electrolysis using simulated flue gas, the CO partial current density is further increased to 86.4 mA cm^?2 and CO FE reached >90% at the cell voltage of 3.4 V. Experiments and density functional theory calculations indicate that uniform single‐atom Co–N₄ sites mainly contribute to the high activity for CO₂ reduction.     

Single Layer of Polymeric Cobalt Phthalocyanine: Promising Low‐Cost and High‐Activity Nanocatalysts for CO Oxidation

The catalytic behavior of transition metals (Sc to Zn) combined in polymeric phthalocyanine (Pc) is investigated systematically by using first‐principles calculations. The results indicate that CoPc exhibits the highest catalytic activity for CO oxidation at room temperature with low energy barriers. By exploring the two well‐established mechanisms for CO oxidation with O₂, namely, the Langmuir–Hinshelwood (LH) and the Eley–Rideal (ER) mechanisms, it is found that the first step of CO oxidation catalyzed by CoPc is the LH mechanism (CO + O₂ → CO₂ + O) with energy barrier as low as 0.65 eV. The second step proceeds via both ER and LH mechanisms (CO + O → CO₂) with small energy barriers of 0.10 and 0.12 eV, respectively. The electronic resonance among Co‐3d, CO‐2π*, and O₂‐2π* orbitals is responsible for the high activity of CoPc. These results have significant implications for a novel avenue to fabricate organometallic sheet nanocatalysts for CO oxidation with low cost and high activity.     

Shape‐Controlled Synthesis of High‐Quality Cu7S4 Nanocrystals for Efficient Light‐Induced Water Evaporation

Copper sulfides (Cu_2–xS), are a novel kind of photothermal material exhibiting significant photothermal conversion efficiency, making them very attractive in various energy conversion related devices. Preparing high quality uniform Cu_2‐xS nanocrystals (NCs) is a top priority for further energy‐and sustainability relevant nanodevices. Here, a shape‐controlled high quality Cu₇S₄ NCs synthesis strategy is reported using sulfur in 1‐octadecene as precursor by varying the heating temperature, as well as its forming mechanism. The performance of the Cu₇S₄ NCs is further explored for light‐driven water evaporation without the need of heating the bulk liquid to the boiling point, and the results suggest that as‐synthesized highly monodisperse NCs perform higher evaporation rate than polydisperse NCs under the identical morphology. Furthermore, disk‐like NCs exhibit higher water evaporation rate than spherical NCs. The water evaporation rate can be further enhanced by assembling the organic phase Cu₇S₄ NCs into a dense film on the aqueous solution surface. The maximum photothermal conversion efficiency is as high as 77.1%.     

Boosting Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Nitroaromatic via Synergy of Hydrogen Spillover and Preferential Adsorption on Magnetically Recoverable Pt@Fe2O3

It is highly desired but challenging to design high performance catalyst for selective hydrogenation of nitro compounds into amino compounds. Herein, a boosting chemoselective hydrogenation strategy on Pt@Fe₂O₃ is proposed with gradient oxygen vacancy by synergy of hydrogen spillover and preferential adsorption. Experimental and theoretical investigations reveal that the nitro is preferentially adsorbed onto oxygen vacancy of Pt@Fe₂O₃, meanwhile, the H₂ dissociated on Pt nanoparticles and then spillover to approach the nitro for selective hydrogenation (>99% conversion of 4-nitrostyrene, > 99% selectivity of 4-aminostyrene, TOF of 2351 h⁻¹). Moreover, the iron oxide support endows the catalyst magnetic retrievability. This high activity, selectivity, and easy recovery strategy provide a promising avenue for selective hydrogenation catalysis of various nitroaromatic.     

Co Nanoparticles Confined in 3D Nitrogen‐Doped Porous Carbon Foams as Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Long‐Life Rechargeable Zn–Air Batteries

Proper design and simple preparation of nonnoble bifunctional electrocatalysts with high cost performance and strong durability for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is highly demanded but still full of enormous challenges. In this work, a spontaneous gas‐foaming strategy is presented to synthesize cobalt nanoparticles confined in 3D nitrogen‐doped porous carbon foams (CoNCF) by simply carbonizing the mixture of citric acid, NH₄Cl, and Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O. Thanks to its particular 3D porous foam architecture, ultrahigh specific surface area (1641 m² g^?1), and homogeneous distribution of active sites (C–N, Co–N_x, and Co–O moieties), the optimized CoNCF‐1000‐80 (carbonized at 1000 °C, containing 80 mg Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O in precursors) catalyst exhibits a remarkable bifunctional activity and long‐term durability toward both ORR and OER. Its bifunctional activity parameter (ΔE) is as low as 0.84 V, which is much smaller than that of noble metal catalyst and comparable to state‐of‐the‐art bifunctional catalysts. When worked as an air electrode catalyst in rechargeable Zn–air batteries, a high energy density (797 Wh kg^?1), a low charge/discharge voltage gap (0.75 V), and a long‐term cycle stability (over 166 h) are achieved at 10 mA cm^?2.