A ZnO–ZnS solid solution nanowire array photoanode is developed based on an alternative sensitization of a ZnO–ZnS solid solution nanowire array for solar hydrogen generation with considerably enhanced photocurrent – more than 195% greater compared to pristine ZnO nanowires. This solid solution structure demonstrates a better photoactivity enhancement effect than traditional quantum dot sensitization, as well as allowing hydrogen generation.

Li−CO 2 batteries have recently attracted attention as promising candidates for next-generation energy storage devices due to their extremely high theoretical energy density. The real application of Li−CO 2 cells involves addressing several drawbacks, including high charging potential, poor coulombic efficiency, and low rechargeability. Molybdenum disulfide supported on carbon nanotubes (MoS 2 /CNT) with various ratios functioned as a cathode catalyst for Li−CO 2 batteries. The optimal MoS 2 /CNT composite achieved a maximum discharge capacity of 8551 mAh g −1 with a coulombic efficiency of 96.7%. This hybrid also obtained an initial charging plateau of 3.87 V at a current density of 100 mA g −1 with a cutoff capacity of 500 mAh g −1 . It provided ideal electrochemical stability of 142 cycles at the current densities of 100 mA g −1 , which was comparable with that of some precious metal catalysts. This optimized MoS 2 /CNT was also cycled at 200 and 400 mA g −1 for 112 and 55 times, respectively. Density functional theory calculations demonstrated that the sulfided Mo-edge (s-Mo-edge) on MoS 2 materials showed appropriate adsorption strengths of Li, CO 2 , and Li 2 CO 3 . Moreover, joint results of Raman profiles and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectra elucidated that the catalytic efficiencies of MoS 2 / CNT hybrids were proportional to the quantities of exposed s-Mo-edge active sites.

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