In this work, we report the fabrication of the new heterojunction of two 2D hybrid layered semiconductors—ZnO (stearic acid)/V₂O₅ (hexadecylamine)—and its behavior in the degradation of aqueous methylene blue under visible light irradiation. The optimal photocatalyst efficiency, reached at a ZnO (stearic acid)/V₂O₅ (hexadecylamine) ratio of 1:0.25, results in being six times higher than that of pristine zinc oxide. Reusability test shows that after three photocatalysis cycles, no significant changes in either the dye degradation efficiency loss, nor the photocatalyst structure, occur. Visible light photocatalytic performance observed indicates there is synergetic effect between both 2D nanocomposites used in the heterojunction. The visible light absorption enhancement promoted by the narrower bandgap V₂O₅ based components; an increased photo generated charge separation favored by extensive interface area; and abundance of hydrophobic sites for dye adsorption appear as probable causes of the improved photocatalytic efficiency in this hybrid semiconductors heterojunction. Estimated band-edge positions for both conduction and valence band of semiconductors, together with experiments using specific radical scavengers, allow a plausible photodegradation mechanism.

In this research, we report a simple hydrothermal synthesis to prepare rhenium (Re)- doped MoS₂ flower-like microspheres and the tuning of their structural, electronic, and electrocatalytic properties by modulating the insertion of Re. The obtained compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Structural, morphological, and chemical analyses confirmed the synthesis of poorly crystalline Re-doped MoS₂ flower-like microspheres composed of few stacked layers. They exhibit enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance with low overpotential of 210 mV at current density of 10 mA/cm², with a small Tafel slope of 78 mV/dec. The enhanced catalytic HER performance can be ascribed to activation of MoS₂ basal planes and by reduction in charge transfer resistance during HER upon doping.

Most recent research concerning terrestrial mollusks from Chile has focused in species from southern areas of the country (Vargas-Almonacid 2000, Vargas-Almonacid & Stuardo 2007, Miquel & Barker 2009, Miquel & Cádiz-Lorca 2009, among others), all of them involving charopid or punctid snails, with only a few works reviewing species from northern Chile (Miquel & Araya, 2013, Araya & Catalán, 2014). In this study we describe the occurrence of a new charopid species, the second record of the genus Lilloiconcha in the country, living near Los Molles in central Chile. This small species lives buried in humus and underneath stones, large boulders and rotten leaves.