The generation of hydrogen-based energy and environmental remediation using sunlight is an emerging topic of great significance for meeting the ever-growing global need. However, the actual photocatalytic performance is still far below expectations because of the relatively slack charge-carrier separation and migration as well as insufficient spectral absorption in semiconductors. Therefore, the rational construction of heterojunctions is considered as an effective approach to solving the above issues. In this context, we have, for the first time, designed and synthesized a two-dimensional 2D-on-2D heterostructure, based on 2D Ag-doped ZnIn₂S₄ nanoplates deposited on 2D g-C₃N₄ nanosheets (denoted as g-C₃N₄/Ag:ZnIn₂S₄). This construct benefits from improved visible-light absorption by unveiling a greater number of catalytically active sites, effectively enhancing charge-carrier separation and relocation. Detailed analysis has proved that under visible-light irradiation, the optimized g-C₃N₄/20 wt% Ag:ZnIn₂S₄ nanocomposite has substantially upgraded photocatalytic activity in hydrogen formation by water splitting (hydrogen evolution rate of up to 597.47 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹) and in residual dyestuff degradation (methyl orange, MO; degradation rate constant of 0.1406 min⁻¹). Noteworthily, these two exceptionally high values respectively represent 30.73 and 5.42 times enhancements vs. results obtained with bare g-C₃N₄. Another strong point of our g-C₃N₄/Ag:ZnIn₂S₄ is its impressive recyclability for 20 runs, with no relevant metal release in the aqueous solution following photocatalysis. This work introduces new, superior access to highly efficient photocatalysts founded on 2D/2D nanocomposites serving both the production of hydrogen as an energy carrier and environmental remediation.

A novel ternary g-C ₃ N ₄ /CuS photocatalyst shows a good photocatalytic H ₂ production and methylene orange degradation under visible light.

An easy access to a series of previously unreported heterodinuclear Pd-Ln compounds, Pd-bpydc-La, Pd-bpydc-Ce and Pd-bpydc-Nd (bpydc = 2,2′-bipyridine-5,5′-dicarboxylate) has been developed. The Pd-Ln hybrid networks were effectively applied as catalysts in Suzuki–Miyaura C-C cross-coupling reactions of 4-bromoanisole and 4-bromobenzonitrile with phenylboronic acid, under mild conditions. A systematic investigation revealed Pd-bpydc-Nd as the most active catalyst. In all cases, reaction yields varied with the base, catalyst loading and substantially augmented with temperature (from 30 to 60 °C). Substituent effects were operative when changing from 4-bromoanisole to 4-bromobenzonitrile. The key role played by the lanthanides, aromatic substrate and base, in modulating the Pd-catalytic cycle has been highlighted. Importantly, the new catalysts proved to be stable in air and vs. functionalities and are quite efficient in Suzuki–Miyaura carbon-carbon bond formation conducted in protic solvents.

A series of Ni/SiO₂ catalysts with different Ni content were prepared by sol‐gel method for application in the synthesis of 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran (2‐MTHF) by hydrogenation of 2‐methylfuran (2‐MF). The catalyst structure was investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and temperature programmed reduction (TPR). It is found that structures and catalytic performance of the catalysts were highly affected by the Ni content. The catalyst with a 25% Ni content had an appropriate size of the Ni species and larger BET surface area and produced a higher 2‐MF conversion with enhanced selectivity in 2‐MTHF.

The additive Ga₂O₃improved the catalytic performance of CuO–ZnO/HZSM-5 catalysts for hydrogenation of CO₂to DME.

GdPO ₄ hollow microspheres were synthesized by using a novel multi-step route for the first time with polystyrene (PS) spheres as the template, followed by the combination of a facile homogeneous precipitation method, an ion-exchange process, and a calcination process.