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Due to its low cost, environmentally friendly process, and lack of secondary contamination, the photodegradation of dyes is regarded as a promising technology for industrial wastewater treatment. This technology demonstrates the light-enhanced generation of charge carriers and reactive radicals that non-selectively degrade various organic dyes into water, CO2, and other organic compounds via direct photodegradation or a sensitization-mediated degradation process. The overall efficiency of the photocatalysis system is closely dependent upon operational parameters that govern the adsorption and photodegradation of dye molecules, including the initial dye concentration, pH of the solution, temperature of the reaction medium, and light intensity. Additionally, the charge-carrier properties of the photocatalyst strongly affect the generation of reactive species in the heterogeneous photodegradation and thereby dictate the photodegradation efficiency. Herein, this comprehensive review discusses the pseudo kinetics and mechanisms of the photodegradation reactions. The operational factors affecting the photodegradation of either cationic or anionic dye molecules, as well as the charge-carrier properties of the photocatalyst, are also fully explored. By further analyzing past works to clarify key active species for photodegradation reactions and optimal conditions, this review provides helpful guidelines that can be applied to foster the development of efficient photodegradation systems.

Using in situ ultrafast laser spectroscopic techniques to monitor the charge dynamics of semiconductor photocatalysts under operating conditions is essential for digging out the veritable interactions between charge carriers and the reactive species. This real-time observation is desirable for optimizing individual components and their integration in advanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) and photocatalytic systems, which can achieve the “Holy Grail” of solar energy harvesting and solar fuel generation. This Review summarizes the recent developments of employing transient absorption spectroscopy for in situ measurements of charge dynamics on semiconductor nanostructures. The implications in the PEC and photocatalytic reactions toward hydrogen production and carbon dioxide reduction will be discussed, along with future outlooks and perspectives.

Near infrared energy remains untapped toward the maneuvering of entire solar spectrum harvesting for fulfilling the nuts and bolts of solar hydrogen production. We report the use of Au@Cu 7 S 4 yolk@shell nanocrystals as dual-plasmonic photocatalysts to achieve remarkable hydrogen production under visible and near infrared illumination. Ultrafast spectroscopic data reveal the prevalence of long-lived charge separation states for Au@Cu 7 S 4 under both visible and near infrared excitation. Combined with the advantageous features of yolk@shell nanostructures, Au@Cu 7 S 4 achieves a peak quantum yield of 9.4% at 500 nm and a record-breaking quantum yield of 7.3% at 2200 nm for hydrogen production in the absence of additional co-catalysts. The design of a sustainable visible- and near infrared-responsive photocatalytic system is expected to inspire further widespread applications in solar fuel generation. In this work, the feasibility of exploiting the localized surface plasmon resonance property of self-doped, nonstoichiometric semiconductor nanocrystals for the realization of wide-spectrum-driven photocatalysis is highlighted. Near infrared energy remains untapped toward the maneuvering of entire solar spectrum harvesting for fulfilling nuts and bolts of solar hydrogen production. Here, the authors report the use of Au@Cu 7 S 4 yolk@shell nanocrystals for hydrogen production from untapped near infrared energy.

Noble metals are widely recognized for their ability to catalyze the electro-oxidation of organic compounds, with smaller particle sizes significantly enhancing electrocatalytic activity. In this study, catalytic electrodes decorated with atomic-level platinum and Pt-Au clusters were fabricated using cyclic atomic-metal electrodeposition. The interactions between the iminium (protonated imine) groups in emeraldine salt polyaniline (PANI) and metal chloride complexes in the electrolyte enabled precise control over the cluster size and composition. The electrocatalytic activity of these electrodes for propanol oxidation was systematically evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV). Notably, PANI electrodes decorated with odd-numbered atomic-level Pt clusters exhibited higher peak oxidation currents compared to even-numbered clusters, revealing a unique even–odd effect. For atomic-level Pt-Au clusters, the catalytic activity was significantly influenced by the sequence of Pt and Au deposition, with PANI-Au1Pt3 achieving the highest catalytic activity (35.34 mA/cm2). Bi-metallic clusters consistently outperformed mono-metallic clusters, and clusters containing only one Pt atom demonstrated superior catalytic activity. These findings provide valuable insights into the design of high-performance catalytic electrodes by leveraging atomic-level control of the cluster size, composition, and deposition sequence, paving the way for advanced applications in electrochemical sensors.

Plasma‐assisted CO2 decomposition is a promising strategy for mitigating CO2 emissions. This study integrates a nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma jet (NTAPPJ) system with CuO catalysts to enhance CO2 conversion, selectivity, and energy efficiency through synergistic plasma–catalyst interactions. Optimization of discharge power and CO2 flow rate reveals that higher power increases CO output but reduces energy efficiency, while elevated flow rates improve CO yield but decrease conversion rates. Optimal conditions (100 W, 10 sccm CO2 flow rate) yield 37.98% conversion and 0.73% energy efficiency, with stable performance over 8 h. Experiments isolating photocatalytic and thermal catalytic contributions identify oxygen vacancies in CuO as active sites facilitating CO2 adsorption and activation. These findings establish NTAPPJ‐CuO systems as an innovative approach to plasma–catalyst CO2 decomposition, offering new insights into plasma–catalysis mechanism. The plasma–catalyst system facilitates both homogeneous (plasma‐only) and heterogeneous (plasma–catalyst) CO2 decomposition. Initially, CO2 molecules are dissociated by plasma‐generated energetic species, while long‐lived reactive species further interact with the plasma‐activated CuO catalyst to enhance CO2 decomposition. This synergistic interaction between plasma and catalyst improves both CO2 conversion and energy efficiency.

This study investigates the enhancement of photocatalytic properties in BiFeO3 nanoparticles through an additional electrical polarization (poling) pretreatment process. BiFeO3, a promising multiferroic material with a narrow bandgap of ≈2. 12 eV, is well‐suited forvisible light‐driven photocatalysis. However, its photocatalytic efficiency isoften limited by insufficient photogenerated charge availability. To address this, a poling process was employed to align the ferroelectric domains within BiFeO3 nanoparticles, improving charge separation and enhancing photocatalytic activity. The findings reveal that the poling process preserves the intrinsic bandgap of BiFeO3, maintaining its visible light absorption capability. Steady‐state photoluminescence spectroscopy shows a marked increase in the intensity in poling‐treated samples, indicating enhanced charge carrier generation. Photo degradation experiments using Indigo dye as a model pollutant demonstrate that poling‐treated BiFeO3 achieves a remarkable photodegradation efficiency of 99%, compared to 56% for untreated BiFeO3. Additionally, the poling‐treated BiFeO3 retains 65% of its initial efficiency after four cycles, highlighting its durability for sustained environmental applications. This study underscores the effectiveness of poling in enhancing the photocatalytic performance of BiFeO3 nanoparticles, providing valuable insights into the development of efficient photocatalysts via domain engineering for environmental purification technologies. This study highlights the enhancement of photocatalytic activity in BiFeO3 nanoparticles through electrical polarization (poling). Herein, the proposed mechanism is illustrated, showcasing how poling aligns ferroelectric domains, improves charge separation, and increases the availability of photogenerated carriers. This alignment significantly boosts the photodegradation efficiency of Indigo dye, emphasizing the potential of polarized BiFeO3 for sustainable environmental pollutant detoxification.

The global rise in electronic waste highlights the urgent need for green electronics that minimize environmental impact through sustainable material selection and fabrication methods. In this work, multifunctional, biodegradable paper electrodes, designated as MXNx/B‐CP, are prepared via a simple vacuum‐assisted assembly of homogenized MXene (Ti3C2Tx) nanosheets within bamboo‐derived cellulose nanofiber (CNF). These freestanding paper electrodes offer tunable electrical conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and low‐cost, scalable production. To enhance their stability, the electrodes are encapsulated in a breathable, porous Ecoflex layer, which imparts waterproofing while maintaining gas permeability. Strong hydrogen bonding at the MXene‐CNF interface facilitates continuous electron transport and structural integrity, yielding a nonlinear piezoresistive response with a gauge factor increasing from 3.7 to 11.42 at small strain range, alongside a strain‐adaptive Young's modulus ranging from 0.064 to 1.768 MPa. Benefiting from this synergistic design, the electrodes support a wide range of sensing applications, including bending strain detection, surface electromyography, and human‐machine interfaces for exoskeleton control while exhibiting excellent stability, low noise, and long‐term durability under repeated deformation. This innovation not only expands the potential of paper‐based electronics but also offers a scalable pathway toward sustainable, high‐performance solutions for next‐generation wearable and assistive technologies. A biodegradable, soft, and conductive MXene‐cellulose nanofiber paper electrode integrates Ti3C2Tx nanosheets into bamboo‐derived scaffolds, with a porous Ecoflex coating that imparts waterproofing and breathability. The freestanding dry electrode enables high‐fidelity EMG sensing, strain and pressure detection, and wireless control of a knee exoskeleton. Upon disposal, the material degrades oxidatively, offering a sustainable route toward scalable, eco‐friendly human‐machine interfaces.

Pt-based alloy or bimetallic anode catalysts have been developed to reduce the carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning effect and the usage of Pt in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), where the second metal plays a role as CO poisoning inhibitor on Pt. Furthermore, better performance in DMFCs can be achieved by improving the catalytic dispersion and using high-performance supporting materials. In this work, we introduced a free-standing, macroscopic, interwoven tubular graphene (TG) mesh as a supporting material because of its high surface area, favorable chemical inertness, and excellent conductivity. Particularly, binary AuPt nanoparticles (NPs) can be easily immobilized on both outer and inner walls of the TG mesh with a highly dispersive distribution by a simple and efficient chemical reduction method. The TG mesh, whose outer and inner walls were decorated with optimized loading of binary AuPt NPs, exhibited a remarkably catalytic performance in DMFCs. Its methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) activity was 10.09 and 2.20 times higher than those of the TG electrodes with only outer wall immobilized with pure Pt NPs and binary AuPt NPs, respectively. Furthermore, the catalyst also displayed a great stability in methanol oxidation after 200 scanning cycles, implying the excellent tolerance toward the CO poisoning effect.

The COVID‐19 pandemic has underscored the paramount importance of maintaining clean and safe environments. Strengthening environmental purification measures is pivotal for better preparedness and resilience against future health crises. Photocatalytic fibers, due to their versatility and adaptability to various application scenarios, play a pivotal role in the field of environmental purification. In this perspective, light is shed on the pivotal advancements in employing photocatalytic fibers to tackle environmental issues encompassing dye degradation, antibiotics decomposition, heavy metal removal, indoor air purification, and microbial disinfection. These applications hold significant promise in promoting cleaner and healthier environments while aligning with sustainability objectives. However, the implementation of photocatalytic fibers in practical scenarios is not without its challenges. Issues, such as near infrared responsiveness, all‐day active capacity, reusability, and scalability, must be addressed to ensure their reliability and long‐term effectiveness. Potential solutions for surmounting these challenges are also delved, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview for researchers and stakeholders. Exploring new avenues and innovative approaches may pave the way for the widespread deployment of photocatalytic fibers in environmental purification, especially in the post‐pandemic era where the need for clean and safe environments is more evident than ever. Photocatalytic fibers demonstrate potential across various applications, encompassing dye degradation, antibiotics decomposition, heavy metal removal, indoor air purification, and microbial disinfection. Despite the promise, their widespread implementation faces several critical challenges. This perspective delivers potential opportunities and strategies that can address these challenges and pave the way for the effective and extensive utilization of photocatalytic fibers in environmental purification.