Active-site and interface engineering of cathode materials for aqueous Zn—gas batteries

With the development of renewable energy systems, clean hydrogen is burgeoning as an optimal alternative to fossil fuels, in which its application is promising to retarding the global energy and environmental crisis. The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), capable of producing high-purity hydrogen rapidly in electrocatalytic water splitting, has received much attention. Abundant research about HER has been done, focusing on advanced electrocatalyst design with high efficiency and robust stability. As potential HER catalysts, metal nanoclusters (MNCs) have been studied extensively. They are composed of several to a hundred metal atoms, with sizes being comparable to the Fermi wavelength of electrons, that is, < 2.0 nm. Different from metal atoms/nanoparticles, they exhibit unique catalytic properties due to their quantum size effect and low-coordination environment. In this review, the activity-enhancing approaches of MNCs applied in HER electrocatalysis are mainly summarized. Furthermore, recent progress in MNCs classified with different stabilization strategies, that is, the freestanding MNCs, MNCs with organic, metal and carbon supports, are introduced. Finally, the current challenges and deficiencies of these MNCs for HER are prospected.

Advances in the Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction by Metal Nanoclusters-based Materials.

Electrocatalytic NO reduction to NH3 (NORR) emerges as an attractive approach to simultaneously realize NO abatement and ammonia generation. Herein, we first demonstrate that p-block Sn-based materials are promising NORR...

A defect engineered p-block SnS2-x catalyst for efficient electrocatalytic NO reduction to NH3

Cu2O-Derived PtCu Nanoalloy toward Energy-Efficient Hydrogen Production via Hydrazine Electrolysis under Large Current Density

Atomically dispersed Co catalyst for electrocatalytic NO reduction to NH3

With the disruptive carbon cycle being blamed for global warming, the plausible electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to form valuable C2+ hydrocarbons and feedstock is becoming a hot topic. Cu-based electrocatalysts have been proven to be excellent CO2RR alternatives for high energy value-added products in this regard. However, the selectivity of CO2RR to form C2+ products via Cu-based catalysts suffers from a high overpotential, slow reaction kinetics, and low selectivity. This review attempts to discuss various cutting-edge strategies for understanding catalytic design such as Cu-based catalyst surface engineering, tuning Cu bandgap via alloying, nanocatalysis, and the effect of the electrolyte and pH on catalyst morphology. The most recent advances in in situ spectroscopy and computational techniques are summarized to fully comprehend reaction mechanisms, structural transformation/degradation mechanisms, and crystal facet loss with subsequent effects on catalyst activity. Furthermore, approaches for tuning Cu interactions are discussed from four key perspectives: single-atom catalysts, interfacial engineering, metal-organic frameworks, and polymer-incorporated materials, which provide new insights into the selectivity of C2+ products. Finally, major challenges are outlined, and potential prospects for the rational design of catalysts for robust CO2RR are proposed. The integration of catalytic design with mechanistic understanding is a step forward in the promising advancement of CO2RR technology for industrial applications.

Electrochemical CO
 2 Reduction to C
 2+ Products Using Cu-Based Electrocatalysts: A Review

Drugs contamination to wastewater from health care facilities and the pharma industry is a growing problem attracting scientific solution and engineering treatments. This study was performed for the adsorptive removal of paracetamol from water employing activated carbon (AC) prepared from Cannabis Sativum Hemp (CSH). The used CSH is spontaneously available lignocellulosic biomass that nurtures on the roadside and in uncultivated lands naturally. Process performance was optimized by studying the consequences of experimental features, such as pH, particle size, temperature, retention time, stirring speed, and adsorbent dose. Adsorption dynamics were studied employing Langmuir isotherms and Freundlich isotherms. Isothermal dynamics showed that the adsorption of paracetamol on the developed adsorbent was favorable. The kinetics analysis elucidated that the adsorption follows the pseudo second-order model preferably as the value of R 2 = 0.9893. The maximum adsorption capacity of developed activated carbon was found to be 16.18 mg/g. The study results proved that the CSH is an efficient, cheap, and sustainable feedstock for the manufacturing of AC to be used for the efficient removal of paracetamol from an aqueous system. 

Adsorption characteristics of paracetamol removal onto activated carbon prepared from Cannabis sativum Hemp

Carbon nanotubes-based adsorbents have been extensively used in the adsorption of inorganic and organic pollutants from water and wastewater. They demonstrate excellent adsorption properties due to their high specific surface area, exceptional porosities, hollow and layered structures, numerous internal and external adsorption sites, π-conjugative structure, and ease of chemical activation and functionalization. A wide range of mechanical, physical, and chemical approaches have been used for the modification or functionalization of carbon nanotubes to enhance their adsorptive properties in general or to make them selective toward certain classes of pollutants. Depending on the adsorption conditions and the functionalization involved, carbon nanotubes-based adsorbents can interact with inorganic contaminants through different mechanisms such as surface complexation, electrostatic interaction, ion exchange, physical adsorption, and precipitation. In the case of organic pollutants, besides physical adsorption, π-π and electrostatic interactions play a major role in adsorption. In some cases, chemical bonding between organics and carbon nanotubes has also been reported as a mechanism of interaction. This review summarizes the properties, functionalization, and mechanisms involved in carbon nanotubes-based adsorption of pollutants from aqueous media. An insightful overview of the critical parameters that should be considered while using carbon nanotubes-based adsorbents for water purification is also provided. In the end, some challenges associated with carbon nanotubes-based adsorbents are presented, along with the potential solutions. This review will be useful for the researchers working in the field of water treatment. 

Carbon nanotubes-based adsorbents: Properties, functionalization, interaction mechanisms, and applications in water purification

Since its development in 2006, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction has witnessed many improvements in the design of extraction devices, extractant dispersion strategies, choice of extraction and dispersive solvents, and phase separation approaches. It has also been combined with other extraction techniques to extend its application to more complicated matrices. Many developments have been made concerning simultaneous derivatization, entire procedure automation, and coupling with analytical instrumentation. The main objective of these changes was to resolve a certain issue with the existing design or procedure or make the extraction process and analysis relatively easier, faster, or greener. This review aims to provide an overview of the evolution of DLLME over the years and highlights the scenarios where different formats can be applied, and their advantages and limitations have been critically appraised. 

Muhammad Sajid

Papers

Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction to C 2+ Products Using Cu-Based Electrocatalysts: A Review

Adsorption characteristics of paracetamol removal onto activated carbon prepared from Cannabis sativum Hemp

Carbon nanotubes-based adsorbents: Properties, functionalization, interaction mechanisms, and applications in water purification

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction: Evolution in design, application areas, and green aspects

Self-supporting NiCoP for hydrogen generation via hydrolysis of ammonia borane