Transition metal selenides have promising electrocatalytic activity on both hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions.

Copper-incorporated α-Ni(OH)2 nanoarrays with a unique hierarchical wire-on-sheet structure and local Ni3+ species are explored as efficient trifunctional electrocatalysts for urea oxidation and water electrolysis.

NIR light induced H2 evolution was realized by metal-free photocatalysis for the first time. The considerable H2 production at 808 nm and large promotion of the photocatalytic activity in both UV-Vis and Vis regions originated from the synergistic effect on spectral and electronic coupling of g-C3N4 nanosheets and carbon quantum dots.

A photocatalytic activity enhanced mechanism accounting for the photosensitization synergetic effect is proposed, with MB degradation pathways including chromophoric and auxochrome group degradation.

The rational design of carbonaceous hybrid nanostructures is very important for obtaining high photoactivity. TiO 2 particles strewn with an optimal quantity of carbon nanodots have a much higher photoactivity than that of TiO 2 covered with a carbon layer, showing the importance of carbon morphology in the photocatalysis of carbonaceous hybrid nanostructures.