The synthesis of vertical ReS2 nanowalls on 3D graphene foam (V-ReS2 /3DGF) is demonstrated by a chemical vapor deposition route. The vertical nanowall structure leads to an effective exposure of active sites and enhances the lithium interaction with all of the layers. When serving as the anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the V-ReS2 /3DGF composite demonstrates excellent cycling stability at high-current-density.

As the world decides on the next giant step for the renewable energy revolution, scientists have begun to reinforce their headlong dives into the exploitation of solar energy. Hitherto, numerous attempts are made to imitate the natural photosynthesis of plants by converting solar energy into chemical fuels which resembles the “Z‐scheme” process. A recreation of this system is witnessed in artificial Z‐scheme photocatalytic water splitting to generate hydrogen (H2). This work outlines the recent significant implication of the Z‐scheme system in photocatalytic water splitting, particularly in the role of electron mediator and the key factors that improve the photocatalytic performance. The Review begins with the fundamental rationales in Z‐scheme water splitting, followed by a survey on the development roadmap of three different generations of Z‐scheme system: 1) PS‐A/D‐PS (first generation), 2) PS‐C‐PS (second generation), and 3) PS‐PS (third generation). Focus is also placed on the scaling up of the “leaf‐to‐tree” challenge of Z‐scheme water splitting system, which is also known as Z‐scheme photocatalyst sheet. A detailed investigation of the Z‐scheme system for achieving H2 evolution from past to present accompanied with in‐depth discussion on the key challenges in the area of Z‐scheme photocatalytic water splitting are provided.

Photocatalytic CO reduction over the UV-Vis-NIR broad spectrum was realized for the first time. The presence of surface oxygen vacancy defects on BiWO resulted in significant photocatalytic enhancement over the pristine counterpart under UV and visible light irradiation. Meanwhile, the photocatalytic responsiveness of BiWO-OV was successfully extended to the NIR region.

From basic research to industry process, battery energy storage systems have played a great role in the informatization, mobility, and intellectualization of modern human society. Some potential systems such as Li, Na, K, Mg, Zn, and Al secondary batteries have attracted much attention to maintain social progress and sustainable development. As one of the components in batteries, electrolytes play an important role in the upgrade and breakthrough of battery technology. Since room-temperature ionic liquids (ILs) feature high conductivity, nonflammability, nonvolatility, high thermal stability, and wide electrochemical window, they have been widely applied in various battery systems and show great potential in improving battery stability, kinetics performance, energy density, service life, and safety. Thus, it is a right time to summarize these progresses. In this review, the composition and classification of various ILs and their recent applications as electrolytes in diverse metal-ion batteries (Li, Na, K, Mg, Zn, Al) are outlined to enhance the battery performances.

Improving the stability of cuprous oxide (Cu 2 O) is imperative to its practical applications in artificial photosynthesis. In this work, Cu 2 O nanowires are encapsulated by metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) of Cu 3 (BTC) 2 (BTC = 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylate) using a surfactant-free method. Such MOFs not only suppress the water vapor-induced corrosion of Cu 2 O but also facilitate charge separation and CO 2 uptake, thus resulting in a nanocomposite representing 1.9 times improved activity and stability for selective photocatalytic CO 2 reduction into CH 4 under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, direct transfer of photogenerated electrons from the conduction band of Cu 2 O to the LUMO level of nonexcited Cu 3 (BTC) 2 has been evidenced by time-resolved photoluminescence. This work proposes an effective strategy for CO 2 conversion by a synergy of charge separation and CO 2 adsorption, leading to the enhanced photocatalytic reaction when MOFs are integrated with metal oxide photocatalyst.