TiO₂ aerogels have been employed for the degradation of formaldehyde (HCHO) via the photocatalytic generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (O²⁻, ·OH), and its pore size plays a crucial role in affecting the decomposition efficiency. However, there remains a lack of a comprehensive understanding regarding the internal mechanisms underlying the influence of pore size on HCHO decomposition. In this study, we prepared TiO₂ aerogels by the sol–gel method, and added polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to introduce flexible molecular chains for pore size regulation, and obtained anatase crystals after a heat treatment at 800 °C. The photocatalytic decomposition mechanism of HCHO was researched using TiO₂ aerogels with varying pore sizes as catalysts. The results indicated that the pore size of TiO₂ aerogels was one of the important factors for HCHO decomposition. We validated that the efficiency of HCHO decomposition was related to the oxygen pressure in the pores of the TiO₂ aerogel, and the oxygen pressure was inversely proportional to the pore size, then the pore size of the TiO₂ aerogel and the decomposition efficiency of HCHO were linked through the oxygen pressure. Finally, the optimal pore size of the TiO₂ aerogel for the photocatalytic HCHO decomposition was 2 nm–10 nm. The present study aims to establish the relationship and influence of the pore size of TiO₂ aerogels on the performance of photocatalytic decomposition and promoting further advancements in porous nanomaterials for catalysis.

Facile synthesized Cu₂O nanoparticles for high NO₃RR yield in ultralow nitrate concentration.

The demand for bio-inspired neuromorphic systems drives research on artificial neuronal devices with dual excitatory/inhibitory capabilities. Although perovskite memristors show promise, interfacial barriers and rapid ion migration hinder modulation. This study addresses these challenges through atomic-scale cathode engineering, developing perovskite-based memristor (Au/Ni₁-rGO/MAPbI₃/ITO) with nickel single-atom modified reduced graphene oxide (Ni₁-rGO) cathode. The Ni–O configuration of Ni₁-rGO with a single Ni atom anchored on rGO, modulates the electronic properties of rGO, reducing Schottky barrier via energy band alignment for bipolar current symmetry and spatially confining iodide ion migration through a high diffusion energy barrier (2.912 eV), conferring 780 ms relaxation. The device achieves 1,000 distinct conductance states and emulates interlayer connections and bidirectional signal transmission in feedback neuronal networks. We demonstrate neuromorphic functionalities: unsupervised competitive learning exceeds 50% clustering accuracy, while cooperative learning solves NP-hard problem 6× faster than simulated annealing, establishing an atomic-engineered approach for high-efficiency neuromorphic hardware.

The electrochemical CO₂ reduction to formate represents a promising route for carbon neutrality. However, current bismuth (Bi)-based catalysts suffer from limited active site exposure, poor charge transfer kinetics, and rapid performance degradation. Herein, we report a three-dimensional (3D) carbon fiber aerogels (CFAs) with a porous network architecture supporting well-distributed Bi nanoparticles (BiNPs) that synergistically address these challenges via geometrical structure and interfacial electronic modulation. The 3D porous network of the catalyst offers a high specific surface area of 534.39 m²·g^-1, promoting CO₂ adsorption and efficient charge transport. Electrochemical characterization reveals that the 0.02 M BiNPs@CFAs catalyst achieves a Faraday efficiency of formate (FE_formate) of 96.73±1.45% at -1.0 V vs. RHE, while sustaining a high partial current density of -221.7 mA∙cm^-2 in the flow-cell operation. After continuous operation for 72 hours, the FE_formate values remained above 90.6%. In-situ electrochemical Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (in-situ FTIR) and the density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm that Bi active sites effectively stabilize the *OCHO intermediate, a key step in formate formation. This work establishes new ideas for designing efficient and stable electrocatalysts through synergistic structural and electronic modulation by metal nanoparticles and aerogel architectures.

To enhance the mechanical performance and surface hydrophobicity of flat thin-sheet materials, we have developed a facile, environmentally benign, and low-cost synthesis strategy for fabricating a robust waterborne superhydrophobic coating with excellent mechanical reinforcement, via simple spray coating using a non-fluorinated material system (waterborne silicone–acrylic copolymer and silica sol). The functional coating exhibited excellent hydrophobicity (water contact angle: 150°) regardless of the compound of the substrates, which is primarily ascribed to the presence of abundant low-surface-energy methyl groups on the coating’s surface, along with the three-dimensional hierarchical network structure formed via the cross-linked silica network. Owing to the stable cross-linked structure and strong interfacial bonding between the acrylic polymer and silica network, the composite coating exhibited exceptional mechanical reinforcement, coupled with ultrahigh mechanical and chemical stability. Specifically, the maximum flexural fracture load of the modified materials increased from 119 N to 192 N, representing a 62.7% enhancement; similarly, the moisture-induced deflection of the samples had a significant increase from −14.5 mm to −3.01 mm, which confirmed that the mechanical properties of the modified sample and its deformation resistance under high humidity conditions have been significantly enhanced. Notably, the coating retained superior hydrophobicity and mechanical performance even after 50 abrasion cycles, as well as exposure to high-intensity UV radiation and corrosive acidic/alkaline environments. Furthermore, the composite functional coating demonstrated excellent self-cleaning and anti-fouling properties. This functional composite coating offers significant potential for large-scale industrial application.

High-performance Fe ₂ O ₃ /CN photocatalyst from waste iron nails with efficiency CO ₂ reduction to CO activity.