The addition of Ga to Cu/SiO ₂ generates new active sites increasing selectivity to methanol. The mechanistic implications are studied by in situ DRIFTS and kinetic experiments.

Different zirconium precursors lead to different bulk properties but similar defective surfaces.

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have demonstrated a very strong application potential. In order to realize it, the synthesis of stoichiometric 2D TMDCs on a large scale is crucial. Here, we consider a typical TMDC representative, MoS₂, and present an approach for the fabrication of well-ordered crystalline films via the crystallization of a thin amorphous layer by annealing at 800 °C, which was investigated in terms of long-range and short-range orders. Strong preferential crystal growth of layered MoS₂ along the ⟨002⟩ crystallographic plane from the as-deposited 3D amorphous phase is discussed together with the mechanism of the crystallization process disclosed by molecular dynamic simulations using the Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package. We believe that the obtained results may be generalized for other 2D materials. The proposed approach demonstrates a simple and efficient way to fabricate thin 2D TMDCs for applications in nano- and optoelectronic devices.

A novel 1D nanotubular TiO ₂ /MoS ₂ nanosheet heterostructure possesses synergistic effects that yield superior photon-to-electron conversion and photocatalysis.

Laser treatment of amorphous TiO ₂ nanotube layers leads to their crystallization without deformation or formation of the thermal oxide layer.