Microbubbles have been widely used in the chemical industry in recent years due to their unique physical and chemical properties. This article provides an overview of the characteristics and main generation methods of microbubbles, including physical, chemical, mechanical, and microfluidic techniques. It also explores the applications of microbubbles in the chemical industry, such as gas-liquid reaction intensification, gas separation, mineral flotation, and preparation of high-performance polyolefin materials. By analyzing the current research status of microbubble technology, the future development direction of its application in the chemical industry is discussed.

Introducing methane at the anode side of a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) has been proven to effectively suppress the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), thereby enabling hydrogen production at significantly lower voltages. In this work, a double perovskite oxide, Sr₂Fe_1.4Pt_0.1Mo_0.5O_6-δ (abbreviated as Pt-SFM), was successfully synthesized by a liquid-phase method and employed as both an electronic conductor and a catalyst for methane oxidation at the SOEC anode. Following high-temperature treatment under a reducing atmosphere, platinum (Pt) nanoparticles were exsolved from the perovskite lattice and uniformly dispersed on the oxide surface. These exsolved Pt nanoparticles act as highly active sites for methane adsorption and oxidation. Electrochemical performance tests were conducted at 1123.15 K, and the results demonstrated that the Pt-SFM cell treated for 20 h (Pt-SFM 20 h) achieved a current density of 0.85 A·cm^-2 at an applied voltage of 1.40 V. This performance corresponds to a 102.4% enhancement compared to the undoped SFM 20 h cell. The superior performance is attributed to the presence of exsolved Pt, which significantly improves the catalyst's ability to adsorb and dissociate methane molecules. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis under open-circuit conditions revealed that the polarization impedance of the Pt-SFM 20 h cell was 1.25 Ω·cm², which is 49.2% lower than that of the SFM 20 h cell. Furthermore, a 45-h long-term stability test showed that the Pt-SFM 20 h cell maintained a stable performance, with a low voltage degradation rate of only 0.67 mV·h^-1.

CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol is a critical technology for hydrogen energy conversion and a promising approach to mitigate the energy crisis and greenhouse effect. However, developing highly selective catalysts remains a major challenge for its practical application. Herein, we synthesize an efficient CoCuInO-r catalyst with Cu₁₁In₉ and Co⁰ dual sites on In₂O₃ via a sol-gel method. The Cu₁₁In₉ intermetallic compound enhances H₂ adsorption capacity and strength, and increases oxygen vacancy concentration on the catalyst surface, thereby improving CO₂ activation and hydrogenation efficiency. Meanwhile, Co⁰ suppresses the desorption of the *CO species, facilitating its further hydrogenation to methanol. In-situ DRIFTS experiments indicate that the CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol over CoCuInO-r follows the formate pathway. Compared with CuInO-r (containing Cu₁₁In₉ on In₂O₃), CoCuInO-r exhibits a ～20% increase in methanol selectivity and a 2-fold higher methanol space-time yield, reaching 7.68 mmol·g^-1·h^-1 at 300 °C and 4 MPa.

Catalytic aryl ether CO bonds hydrogenolysis was an important route to convert lignite into high value-added chemicals. Solid super acid 10% Ni-S₂O₈^2-/ZrO₂ catalysts were successfully synthesized and evaluated their performance in catalytic hydrolysis of lignite derivatives. The excellent performance of 10% Ni-S₂O₈^2-/ZrO₂ stems from the synergistic interaction between metallic and acidic sites. Specifically, the acidic sites generated by S2O2-8 facilitate the adsorption of O atoms in the substrate, whereas the metal sites optimize the process of hydrogen adsorption and activation and promote the generation of hydrogen radicals, which further enhances the ability to break C—O bonds. Thus, 10% Ni-S₂O₈^2-/ZrO₂ exhibits more significant catalytic activity compared to 10% Ni-ZrO₂ prepared from pure ZrO₂ as a support. Characterization results showed that the 10% Ni-S₂O₈^2-/ZrO₂ catalyst prepared by sodium borohydride reduction method presented a uniform pore structure, which effectively promoted the dispersion of metal Ni on the catalyst surface. Complete conversion of diphenyl ether (DPE) can be achieved under relatively mild conditions, and excellent hydrogenolysis activity is also demonstrated for other lignite derivatives containing C—O bonds. The possible reaction mechanism of DPE hydrogenolysis in the H₂-isopropanol system was investigated. This work represents a significant step forward in the design of highly efficient solid super acid catalysts.

The recycling and resource utilization of high-value metals from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is a critical challenge for achieving sustainable development. While conventional hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical recycling methods dominate the industry, they suffer from significant drawbacks, including high pollution, excessive energy consumption, and suboptimal metal purity. In contrast, electrochemical recycling technology, leveraging electro-driven chemical reactions and selective ion migration, offers a promising alternative by minimizing acid/alkali usage and simplifying recovery processes, thereby enabling greener, more efficient, and energy-saving metal extraction. Based on the structural integrity of cathode materials during recycling, this review categorizes electrochemical approaches into indirect and direct recycling methods. Key aspects such as production purity, ion separation efficiency, and energy consumption in spent LIB recycling are critically examined. Furthermore, this review systematically evaluates electrodialysis and electrolysis techniques, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. Finally, from a green production perspective, we discuss prospects for cost-effective and environmentally benign LIB recycling strategies, providing insights to guide the advancement of sustainable battery recycling technologies.

Supported metal oxide catalysts have garnered significant attention in oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) due to their tunable metal-support interactions. The pentacoordinate Al³⁺ (Al_V³⁺) in γ-Al₂O₃ supports plays a pivotal role in modulating metal-support interaction. This study investigates oxalic acid (OA) pretreatment as a defect engineering strategy to enhance the catalytic performance of CeO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ in cyclohexane ODH. Through integrated characterization (XRD, ²⁷Al MAS NMR, H₂-TPR, TPRO, MS, XPS) and catalytic testing, we demonstrate that optimal OA treatment (1:10 ratio) eliminates 100% of surface Al_V³⁺ defects while enhancing CeO₂ crystallinity and interfacial oxygen mobility. The removal of Al_V³⁺ species restructures metal-support interaction, accelerating interfacial oxygen mobility. In oxidation dehydrogenation of cyclohexane, the modified CeO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ achieves 29% of cyclohexane conversion with stable selectivity of 49% cyclohexene. These findings provide an initial framework for designing redox-active catalysts via targeted support modification in CeO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ systems, emphasizing the relationship between metal-support interaction and oxygen mobility.

The efficient separation of C₃H₆ and C₃H₈ is a key challenge in the petrochemical industry. A zinc-based flexible metal-organic framework (Zn-anthracenedicarboxylic acid (ADC)-triazole (TRZ)) was designed through dual ligand construction. The material forms a two-dimensional layered structure via TRZ ligands, with ADC ligands serving as interlayer pillars to construct a three-dimensional pillar-layered structure, combining the stability of rigid aromatic rings with the dynamic responsiveness of flexible structures. The flexible pores of Zn-ADC-TRZ can be reversibly opened and closed under the thermal effect, and the adsorption capacity and the opening pressure of the gas can be adjusted with the increase of temperature, thereby enabling achieve the best separation effect under different partial pressures of the gas. Specifically, temperature modulation leads to increase the opening pressure of Zn-ADC-TRZ, enabling significant adsorption difference between C₃H₆ and C₃H₈. At 313 K and 50 kPa, Zn-ADC-TRZ achieves the highest adsorption ratio (24) of C₃H₆ and C₃H₈ while maintaining substantial C₃H₆ adsorption capacity, thereby facilitating efficient separation of equimolar gases. This work demonstrates the potential of temperature-responsive flexible metal-organic frameworks for energy-efficient olefin purification, offering novel insights into low-energy consumption separation technology.

Electrocatalytic oxidation of surplus ethylene glycol (EG) to high-value glycolic acid (GA) represents a promising approach for sustainable resource utilization, though critical challenges persist in developing durable electrocatalysts and achieving effective recovery of the free acid product from its salt derivatives in alkaline electrolytes. In this work, a PdNi/NF catalyst was rationally synthesized via a one-step electrodeposition method. Systematic characterization revealed that the electron transfer from Ni to Pd modulates *OH adsorption to accelerate EG oxidation reaction (EGOR) while preventing Pd deactivation through oxidation. The optimized system demonstrated exceptional alkaline performance with a glycolic acid Faraday efficiency of 95% and a current density of 666 mA·cm^-2. When implemented in an asymmetric EGORHER flow cell configuration where only the cathodic electrolyte contains alkaline, the system demonstrated exceptional operational stability by sustaining 70 mA·cm^-2 current density at a low cell voltage of 0.9 V in neutral media for over 100 h, with product glycolic acid requiring no further acidification. This investigation provides a practical framework for designing efficient electrocatalytic systems that simplifies product separation steps.

Bio-based organic room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials have drawn considerable interest due to their potential to replace conventional petroleum-based RTP materials and attain comprehensive full life-cycle carbon reduction, a feat attributable to their renewable, biocompatible, and environmentally friendly characteristics. Bio-based organic RTP materials derived from natural biomass (e.g., cellulose, lignin, chitosan) or biologically produced substances possess the capacity to spontaneously generate RTP or contribute to its generation. In this paper, the development lineage of bio-based RTP materials is introduced from the above two directions, including different systems, how to construct such systems, and the current progress. With strategies including hydrogen bonding networks, host-guest encapsulation, and polymeric matrices, it achieves RTP lifetimes up to seconds and full visible-band emission. It then explores the application scenarios that emerge from the natural advantages of these materials, including anti-counterfeiting and encryption, environmental monitoring, and bioimaging. Finally, it briefly discusses the potential challenges associated with bio-based RTP materials and envisions future development directions for them. While bio-based RTP materials rival petroleum-based counterparts in RTP efficiency, challenges persist: high production costs, poor environmental/thermal stability, and balancing degradability with durability. These sustainable alternatives offer biodegradability, renewability, and reduced lifecycle carbon emissions, utilizing agricultural byproducts (e.g., corn stalks, shrimp shells) to enhance circular economies.

Oxidative carbonylation of ethanol to diethyl carbonate (DEC), an essential electrolyte for lithium-ion battery, has attracted broad interest from both academia and industry in recent years. But high selective formation of DEC is a great challenge due to the difficulty in efficient activation of CO at the same time as the site-specific activation of O—H bond in ethanol. Herein, we propose a Pd-Cu_xO synergetic catalysis toward oxidative carbonylation of ethanol, where the synergy between Pd and Cu_xO promotes CO activation and carbonylation, thus increasing the selectivity to the site-specific activation of O—H bond in ethanol. A nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes supported Pd-Cu_xO (Pd-Cu_xO/NCNTs) has been designed via galvanic displacement of Pd on Cu_xO to form the strong interactions between Pd and Cu_xO, affording a selectivity of 94.7% to DEC and a space-time yield (STY) of up to 5966 mg·g^-1·h^-1, which is an order of magnitude higher than that reported in the literatures. This work offers novel insights for the design of highly efficient catalysts and advances the industrial development for the oxidative carbonylation of ethanol.

Electrochemical reaction is emerging as a powerful approach for glucose detection and biomass conversion. However, it has been rarely explored for glucose detection and biomass conversion into value-added chemicals. Previously reported glucose oxidase reduction (GOR) catalysts exhibit issues such as low activity, limited detection range, poor sensitivity, and overreliance on noble metals. Here, we employ an impregnation method to load transition metal nickel onto carbon nanotubes (CNT) and fabricated Ni/CNT30 catalyst via a discharge process. Ni/CNT30 catalyst exhibits a remarkably high catalytic activity of up to 3336.7 μA·cm^-2·mmol^-1·L, a detection limit of 2.43 μmol·L^-1, outstanding stability, and excellent resistance to impurities and interference, surpassing other noble metal-based and oxide-based materials. Hence, this material provides a new approach for the preparation of glucose sensors to achieve precise mobile measurement of glucose concentration and biofuel cells in future.

Membrane-assisted antisolvent crystallization (MAAC) is a separation process that allows for precise regulation of the crystallization process in pharmaceutical, fine chemical engineering, energy chemistry, etc. After decades of development, the current MAAC engineering lacks highly robust specialized instruments, which limits the further industrial application of the MAAC process. Herein, to guide the design and optimization of the advanced MAAC instrument (DUT-iMC), we developed a parameter evaluation strategy based on cold model experiments. This approach utilizes the average particle size variation rate and the counts variation rate to characterize crystal size changes. The layout of the internal membrane module in DUT-iMC and the arrangement of the conveying pipeline were optimized. This improvement enhanced particle conveying characteristics, promoting more efficient transport and circulation within the module. The advanced MAAC instrument substantially automates the production process, and the internal probes accurately monitor and record process variables, allowing for precise regulation of crystal size and morphology. The optimal operating range was expanded by 150% compared to the laboratory instrument. The range of shell side flow rate options increased by 50%, and the production time can be shortened by up to 30%. This paper provides ideas and guidance for the industrialization of MAAC processes and the development of related instruments.

Terpenoids, one of the most diverse and structurally varied natural products in nature, are widely distributed in plants, microbes, and other organisms. Their structural diversity confers significant importance in medicine, food, flavorings, and energy. However, traditional methods of plant extraction and chemical synthesis have limitations in industrial applications. Consequently, microbial cell factories have emerged as an important platform for terpenoid production. Terpene synthases (TPSs) are crucial in determining the structural and functional diversity of terpenoids. This review discussed the origin and classification of TPSs, outlines commonly used TPS mining methods, and summarizes advances in TPS engineering. In addition, it also explores the influence of machine learning on enzyme mining, the existing challenges and the future opportunities alongside cutting-edge technologies.

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising candidates for atmospheric water harvesting due to their high porosity and tunable functionality. Among diverse MOFs, MOF-303 has demonstrated excellent water adsorption capacity, rapid desorption kinetics and structural stability. Nevertheless, its practical application is still limited by the time-consuming synthesis process and difficulties in morphological control. To overcome these challenges, a surfactant-mediated microwave-assisted strategy was proposed. Compared to conventional heating methods, microwave irradiation reduced the reaction duration from 24 h to 1 h with a 13% increase in product yield (from 76% to 89%). However, the accelerated nucleation under microwave irradiation resulted in smaller crystal dimensions (from 50 nm ± 10 nm to 35 nm ± 10 nm), therefore inducing severe particle agglomeration. To mitigate this morphological drawback, systematic investigations were conducted to evaluate the effects of surfactants’ species on crystal growth. Among the selected surfactants, poly(sodium-p-styrene sulfonate) (PSS) was identified as an effective morphology-directing agent, achieving uniform crystal sizes with improved monodispersity through preferential adsorption on specific crystallographic planes of the MOF. Subsequent optimization of synthetic conditions, including temperature (120-160 °C), reaction time (15 min-1 h), and surfactant concentration, yielded MOF-303 with a yield of 96.37%, with particle uniformity of (35 nm ± 10 nm) and predominantly blocky crystal morphology. Water adsorption measurements confirmed that the surfactant-modified MOF-303 retained comparable performance to the surfactant-free counterpart, with a maximum capacity (water/MOF) of 0.214 g·g^-1 at 35% RH. This study establishes a scalable and tunable synthetic protocol for MOF-303, providing critical insights into microwave-accelerated crystal engineering.

This study employed the Box-Behnken design in response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize pre-distillation and pressurized distillation column parameters in methanol distillation. Statistical and fitting analyses demonstrated the effects of operational parameters and their interactions on product purity and operating costs. Results showed that for methanol mass fraction in the product, the top distillate of the predistillation column (D₁), the interaction between D₁ and the top distillate of the pressurized distillation column (D₂), and the interaction between the theoretical plates of the pressurized distillation column (N₂) and its reflux ratio (R₂) significantly affected the outcome, in addition to pressurized distillation column parameters. Acetone mass fraction was mainly influenced by pre-distillation column parameters and their interactions, with minimal relation to the pressurized distillation column. Operating costs were primarily affected by the reflux ratio (R), withdrawal (D) of both columns, and their interactions. Optimization strategies involved increasing theoretical plates and reducing reflux ratios compared to the initial plan, achieving energy-saving and consumption-reduction goals. The process required the pressurized distillation column ‘s methanol mass fraction to exceed 99.80%, acetone mass fraction below 2 × 10^-8, and formaldehyde mass fraction below 5 × 10^-9, with a feed rate of 6100 kg·h^-1. Plans A, B, and C achieved energy-savings of 29.80%, 21.78%, and 25.50% respectively, while ensuring separation efficiency and product quality. This research provides theoretical and practical guidance for optimizing the methanol distillation process, helping to reduce energy consumption and production costs, thereby enhancing corporate competitiveness.

Nowadays, the utilization of renewable biomass as a substitute for petroleum-based feedstock in the synthesis of aerospace fuel has garnered significant attention. In this work, we use molecular sieve to catalyze the controllable oligomerization of lignocellulose platform molecule furfuryl alcohol, which is prone to polymerize and generate furfuryl alcohol resin and other macromolecular substances. In order to reduce the formation of macromolecule polymers and enhance the yield of oligomers within the C9-C15 range, the reactive extraction strategy was implemented. Utilizing a low polar solvent, increasing the extraction phase content, employing a hydrophilic and weakly acidic molecular sieve are all beneficial for enhancing the yield of the target products. Finally, under the optimal conditions, the conversion of furfuryl alcohol reaches 84.7% and the yield of the target products is improved from 10%-15% to 41.4%. After hydrodeoxygenation, a liquid fuel with paraffin as the main component was obtained. Moreover, the effect of substituents on the polymerization activity of furan derivatives was compared, the alkyl side chains as substituents can enhance both reactant activity and yield of target products. This study presents a viable approach for the efficient synthesis of aviation fuel directly from bio-based furfuryl alcohol.

The rational utilization of nuclear energy is crucial in current global energy system. Using a flame denitrification reactor, this study develops uranium trioxide (UO₃), a critical intermediate product in the nuclear fuel cycle, and systematically characterizes its physicochemical properties. The UO₃ products are comprehensively examined to assess their suitability for downstream nuclear industry applications. Our results indicates that high-quality UO₃ products can be obtained using flame denitrification reactor at temperatures between 440 °C and 480 °C. This study reveals the considerable potential of UO₃ production via flame denitrification, marking a significant advancement towards enhanced nuclear fuel cycle systems.

The enhancement of acid stress tolerance in yeast is critical for advancing its industrial application in biomanufacturing, given yeast's capacity to synthesize a wide range of acidic chemicals. Intracellular acidity can be mitigated by endogenous proton pumps; however, this process consumes substantial ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) and imposes a metabolic burden on cells. To address this problem, this study introduced a light-driven proton pump in yeast to regulate intracellular acidity. The rhodopsin dR from Natrinema thermotolerans was expressed heterologously in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, it was found that dR could not be correctly localized to the plasma membrane. To realize its proton pump function, dR was relocated to the plasma membrane by fusing the signal peptide MLS to the N-terminus of dR. The activation of dR-mediated proton translocation across the membrane was successfully achieved through the application of light and retinene. The ability of the system to pump protons is enhanced with light intensity. This system significantly enhanced the survival ability of yeast in acidic environments. An increase in cell biomass of 6.6% was observed at a pH of 2.3 in comparison to the control. This study has expanded the application of photosensitive proteins for acid tolerance and provides a new strategy for the optimization of light-driven biosystems, which can help to enhancepotential of yeast in the biomanufacturing.

The production of high-purity propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PMA) through the transesterification of propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PM) and methyl acetate (MeOAc) is traditionally catalyzed by sodium methoxide. However, the practical application of this method is significantly hindered by the inherent limitations of sodium methoxide, such as its high sensitivity to moisture and propensity for solid precipitation, which impede its effective use in continuous processes. This work proposed a continuous catalytic distillation (CD) process utilizing Amberlyst 15 cation exchange resin as the catalyst. A comprehensive series of reaction kinetic and CD experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed process. The results demonstrate that under the optimal operating conditions, namely an ester-to-ether molar ratio of 6:1, a reflux ratio of 5:1, a total feed rate of 0.92 g·min^-1, and an evaporation rate of 266.47 m³·m^-2·h^-1, the conversion rate of PM achieves 99.95%, and the PMA yield is 97.31%. Based on these findings, a process flowsheet for a continuous CD process tailored for the production of electronic-grade PMA is presented. This design incorporates light and heavy removal steps to ensure the production of PMA with a purity of 99.99%. Additionally, the process utilizes pressure swing distillation to recover MeOAc, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and sustainability of the production process. The proposed continuous CD process offers a highly efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable solution for the production of electronic-grade PMA.

To construct a modern energy system characterized by the four dimensions of “Clean”, “Low-carbon”, “Safety” and “Efficiency” is an important path for China's energy revolution and energy transformation. The development of a Modern Energy System Index (MESI) and a deep understanding of its characteristics are of great significance in assessing and guiding the China's energy system construction. In this study, a modern energy system framework was framed around the energy chain associating with the above four dimensions, and the spatial and temporal development of China and its provinces over the past 10 years was studied with MESI synthesized from 28 indicators. The results showed that China's MESI has increased from 32.78 in 2010 to 49.37 in 2020, placing it 38th among 76 major economies, which is within the median echelon. The study identified a positive correlation between “Clean”, “Low-carbon” and “Efficiency”, while a negative correlation between “Safety” and the other ones. The relationship analysis of the indicators implies that strengthening the whole chain of non-fossil energy including production, transformation and consumption can improve the negative correlation. The indicators characterizing “Safety” are located at the forefront of the energy chain, signifying that “Safety” is pivotal. Moreover, the promotion of “Low-carbon” has the potential to enhance the “Clean” and “Efficiency” dimensions simultaneously, indicating the importance of green low-carbon development strategy. Spatial analysis reveals distinct regional disparities of MESI: the north, reliant on abundant fossil energy, excels in “Safety” but lags in “Clean” and “Low-carbon”; the southwest leverages hydropower to boost neighboring “Clean” and “Low-carbon” dimensions, except for Guizhou; the developed southeast coastal region excels in “Clean”, “Low-carbon” and “Efficiency,” emerging as the leading energy transition zone. The study concludes that it is essential to develop a modern energy system from the national perspective. First, the energy “Safety” regions should play the role of energy security without wavering; second, the development and utilization of new energy sources should be steadily and vigorously developed and utilized throughout the country year by year; and finally, the developed regions such as “Efficiency” and “Clean” regions should actively transfer technology to “Safety” and “Low-carbon” regions in a systematic manner.

The use of microalgae to recover nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater has garnered significant attention, positioning it as one of the most promising and sustainable strategies in modern wastewater treatment. While various photobioreactors (PBRs) configurations have been widely applied for microalgae cultivation, limited research has focused on optimizing PBR design specifically to enhance nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency. The high operational costs of wastewater treatment, combined with the inherent variability of microalgal growth, have prompted the search for advanced solutions that improve nitrogen and phosphorus removal while minimizing resource consumption and enabling predictive process control. Recently, the integration of PBR systems with artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) modeling has emerged as a transformative approach to enhancing nutrient removal, particularly for nitrogen and phosphorus. This study first summarizes existing PBR designs tailored for diverse applications, then outlines strategies for system enhancement through the optimization of mixing methods, construction materials, light intensity, and light source configuration. Furthermore, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and AI/ML modeling are presented as tools to guide the structural design and operational optimization of microalgae-based nitrogen and phosphorus removal processes. Finally, future research directions and key challenges are discussed.

The atom-realm effect (AR) represents a transformative paradigm in catalytic materials design, enabling dynamic electronic reconstruction and reaction pathway engineering through localized microenvironment modulation. By introducing heteroatoms to induce atomic-scale rearrangements of electronic structures, geometric configurations, and quantum wavefunctions, this strategy overcomes the limitations of traditional catalysts constrained by static active sites and global electronic regulation. The AR mechanism facilitates selective bond cleavage and directional reassembly via dual-atom communicative effects and spin-polarization control, as demonstrated in electrocatalytic reaction, thermal-catalytic reaction, and fuel cells. Advanced synthesis strategies incorporating vacancy engineering and atomic layer deposition, coupled with operando characterization techniques, reveal dynamic interface evolution at sub-angstrom resolution. While significant progress has been achieved, future development requires time-resolved bond dynamics analysis, machine learning-driven multiscale modeling, and continuous-flow fabrication to realize photonic-magnetic-thermal synergies in next-generation catalytic systems. This perspective establishes AR as a universal framework bridging quantum-level electronic manipulation with macroscopic catalytic performance optimization.

A major challenge hindering the large-scale commercialization of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries lies in the sluggish redox kinetics of polysulfides. This study proposes a microstructure design strategy that involves loading densely dispersed CoP nanoparticles onto the surface of MXene layered materials. MXene not only provides a large specific surface area to support a high density of active CoP nanoparticles, but also offers excellent conductivity and abundant surface functional groups that serve as additional reactive sites. Furthermore, the densely dispersed CoP nanoparticles not only function as the major active sites, but also effectively prevent the self-stacking of MXene sheets, thereby enhancing the microstructural stability. Compared to the coin cells assembled with individual CoP or MXene materials, the battery made by CoP-MXene composite cathode exhibits significantly enhanced performance, maintaining a high discharge specific capacity of 632 mA·h·g^-1 after 200 cycles at a high current density of 2 C. This study provides a novel approach for designing cathode materials for Li-S batteries.

Green hydrogen production by alkaline water electrolysis is an important technology in the decarbonization of the current industry. However, its large-scale application is limited by mediocre performance of conventional Raney Ni electrocatalysts. Herein, high-performance NiMoZn alloy catalysts of the Raney Ni type are developed by pulse electrodeposition for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The optimized catalyst, NMZ-CA, exhibits an overpotential of 37 mV at 10 mA·cm^-2 and a Tafel slope of 27 mV·dec^-1 in 1 mol·L^-1 KOH. Tafel slope measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and H₂ temperature-programmed desorption experiments show that the incorporation of Mo and Zn in Ni weakens the binding of HER intermediate (H_ads) on strongly adsorbing sites, leading to improved electrochemical kinetics. Electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction study reveals that a phase-pure Mo-doped Ni₂Zn₁₁ intermetallic precatalyst formed via pulse electrodeposition and subsequent heat treatment is key to the structure integrity and performance of the catalyst after activation by alkaline leaching. Modification of NMZ-CA with PTFE enhances its HER performance by facilitating gas removal and improving structure integrity. A practical alkaline water electrolyzer built on the modified NMZ/PTFE-CA electrode delivers 2.0 A·cm^-2 at 1.92 V cell voltage and operates for 250 h without decay. This work provides insights into the synergy between Ni, Mo, and Zn in Raney Ni-type catalysts, and demonstrates the hydrophobic modification as an effective strategy for electrode development in high-performance alkaline water electrolysis.