As a metal-free semiconductor, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4) has received extensive attention due to its high stability, nontoxicity, facile and low-cost synthesis, appropriate band gap in the visible spectral range and wide availability of resources. The dimensions of g-C 3 N 4 can influence the regime of the confinement of electrons, and consequently, g-C 3 N 4 with various dimensionalities shows different properties, making them available for many stimulating applications. Although there are some reviews focusing on the synthesis strategy and applications of g-C 3 N 4 , there is still a lack of comprehensive review that systemically summarises the synthesis and application of different dimensions of g-C 3 N 4 , which can provide an important theoretical and practical basis for the development of g-C 3 N 4 with different dimensionalities and maximises their potential in diverse applications. By reviewing the latest progress of g-C 3 N 4 studies, we aim to summarise the preparation of g-C 3 N 4 with different dimensionalities using various structural engineering strategies, discuss the fundamental bottlenecks of currently existing methods and their solution strategies, and explore their applications in energy and environmental applications. Furthermore, it also puts forward the views on the future research direction of these unique materials.
Biochar is produced as a charred material with high surface area and abundant functional groups by pyrolysis, which refers to the process of thermochemical decomposition of organic material at elevated temperatures in the absence of oxygen. The carbon component in biochar is relatively stable, and, hence, biochar was originally proposed as a soil amendment to store carbon in the soil. Biochar has multifunctional values that include the use of it for the following purposes: soil amendment to improve soil health, nutrient and microbial carrier, immobilising agent for remediation of toxic metals and organic contaminants in soil and water, catalyst for industrial applications, porous material for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and odorous compounds, and feed supplement to improve animal health and nutrient intake efficiency and, thus, productivity. This article provides for the first time an overview of the multifunctional values and unintended consequences of biochar applications.
Nanoparticles have become an important utility in many areas of medical treatment such as targeted drug and treatment delivery as well as imaging and diagnostics. These advances require a complete understanding of nanoparticles' fate once placed in the body. Upon exposure to blood, proteins adsorb onto the nanoparticles surface and form a protein corona, which determines the particles' biological fate. This study reports on the protein corona formation from blood serum and plasma on spherical and rod‐shaped nanoparticles. These two types of mesoporous silica nanoparticles have identical chemistry, porosity, surface potential, and size in the y‐dimension, one being a sphere and the other a rod shape. The results show a significantly larger amount of protein attaching from both plasma and serum on the rod‐like particles compared to the spheres. Interrogation of the protein corona by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry reveals shape‐dependent differences in the adsorption of immunoglobulins and albumin proteins from both plasma and serum. This study points to the need for taking nanoparticle shape into consideration because it can have a significant impact on the fate and therapeutic potential of nanoparticles when placed in the body.
Amongst various futuristic renewable energy sources, hydrogen fuel is deemed to be clean and sustainable. Electrochemical water splitting (EWS) is an advanced technology to produce pure hydrogen in a cost‐efficient manner. The electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are the vital steps of EWS and have been at the forefront of research over the past decades. The low‐cost nanostructured metal phosphide (MP)‐based electrocatalysts exhibit unconventional physicochemical properties and offer very high turnover frequency (TOF), low over potential, high mass activity with improved efficiency, and long‐term stability. Therefore, they are deemed to be potential electrocatalysts to meet practical challenges for supporting the future hydrogen economy. This review discusses the recent research progress in nanostructured MP‐based catalysts with an emphasis given on in‐depth understanding of catalytic activity and innovative synthetic strategies for MP‐based catalysts through combined experimental (in situ/operando techniques) and theoretical investigations. Finally, the challenges, critical issues, and future outlook in the field of MP‐based catalysts for water electrolysis are addressed.
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