The growth of industrialization, which is forced to use non-renewable energy sources, leads to an increase in environmental pollution. Therefore, it is necessary not only to reduce the use of fossil fuels to meet energy needs but also to replace it with cleaner fuels. Production of hydrogen by splitting water is considered one of the most promising ways to use solar energy. TiO₂ is an amphoteric oxide that occurs naturally in several modifications. This review summarizes recent advances of doped TiO₂-based photocatalysts used in hydrogen production and the degradation of organic pollutants in water. An intense scientific and practical interest in these processes is aroused by the fact that they aim to solve global problems of energy conservation and ecology.

Layers of TiO₂ nanotubes formed by the anodization process represent an area of active research in the context of innovative energy conversion and storage systems. Titanium nanotubes (TNTs) have attracted attention because of their unique properties, especially their high surface-to-volume ratio, which makes them a desirable material for various technological applications. The anodization method is widely used to produce TNTs because of its simplicity and relative cheapness; the method enables precise control over the thickness of TiO₂ nanotubes. Anodization can also be used to create decorative and colored coatings on titanium nanotubes. In this study, a combined structure including anodic TiO₂ nanotubes and SrTiO₃ particles was fabricated using chemical synthesis techniques. TiO₂ nanotubes were prepared by anodizing them in ethylene glycol containing NH₄F and H₂O while applying a voltage of 30 volts. An anode nanotube array heat-treated at 450 °C was then placed in an autoclave filled with dilute SrTiO₃ solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the TNTs were characterized by clear and open tube ends, with an average outer diameter of 1.01 μm and an inner diameter of 69 nm, and their length is 133 nm. The results confirm the successful formation of a structure that can be potentially applied in a variety of applications, including hydrogen production by the photocatalytic decomposition of water under sunlight.

Antimony oxychloride compounds represent a distinct class of inorganic materials that combine structural features characteristic of both oxides and halides. Their compositional flexibility and anisotropic properties make them promising candidates for use in photocatalytic systems, optoelectronic devices, flame-retardant coatings, and energy storage technologies. This review provides an overview of the structural characteristics and synthesis strategies associated with key members of the Sb_xO_yCl_z family, including SbOCl, Sb₄O₅Cl₂, and Sb₈O₁₁Cl₂. Emphasis is placed on how synthesis parameters—such as temperature, pH, and precursor composition—govern phase formation, morphology, and resulting properties. Recent advances in composite engineering, controlled doping, and surface modification are discussed as effective routes to overcome limitations such as low conductivity and chemical instability. The broader significance of antimony as a strategic element is also addressed in the context of global resource availability and its role in sustainable technologies. Overall, these materials provide a versatile platform for the design of multifunctional systems tailored to meet future demands in materials science and applied engineering.

This paper presents a study of the structural characteristics of a promising MoS2-based material obtained by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Optimization of the synthesis process to obtain the desired structure is also presented. The optimal parameter for the synthesis of CVD MoS2 crystals was found to be the maximum sulfurization temperature of 780 °C with an exposure time of about 15 minutes, the heating temperature of the sulfur source zone of 250 °C, the distance between the sulfur and molybdenum sources of 25 cm, and the distance between the molybdenum source and the substrate was 1.5 cm. The morphology and elemental composition of the obtained samples were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Using SEM, it was revealed that MoS2 crystals are formed in a triangular shape and are evenly distributed over the surface of the substrate. The maximum sizes of crystallites reach 6 microns. EMF mapping of crystallites confirmed the homogeneous distribution of molybdenum and sulfur in the structure, revealing only minor variations in composition at the grain boundaries. The quality and quantity of the sample layer were studied using Raman spectroscopy. The results showed two characteristic peaks (vibrational modes E2g1 and A1g) of nanoscale MoS2. The peaks have a sharp shape and are located at a distance of ≈20.9 cm-1, which may indicate the high quality of the crystal structure of the obtained crystallites. The results obtained emphasize the effectiveness of the chosen approach and the importance of the work for the development of 2D materials technologies.

In this study, a new hybrid hydrogel based on PAM (polyacrylamide)-Ag-g/WS₂/Ti₃C₂T_x was synthesized by radical polymerization using a conductive heterostructural nanocomposite WS₂/Ti₃C₂T_x. The synergy between the polymer matrix and the interface between two-dimensional nanomaterials ensured the production of a hydrogel with high extensibility and conductivity, as well as sensory characteristics. The composite hydrogel exhibited excellent strain-sensing capabilities, with gauge factors of 1.4 at low strain and 2.8 at higher strain levels. In addition, the material showed a fast response time of 2.17 s and a short recovery time of 0.46 s under cyclic stretching, which confirms its high reliability and reproducibility. The integration of Ti₃C₂T_x and WS₂ promoted the formation of a conductive network in the hydrogel structure, which simultaneously increased its mechanical strength and signal stability under variable loads. Measurements confirm some potential of the PAM-Ag-g/WS₂/Ti₃C₂T_x composite hydrogel as a flexible wearable strain sensor. Based on measured numbers, we discussed the impact of the WS₂/Ti₃C₂T_x interface on the Gauge factor and conductivity of the composite. Theoretical modeling demonstrates significant changes in the electronic structure of the WS₂/Ti₃C₂T_x interface, and especially the WS₂ surface, induced by substrate strain. Possible applications of the peculiar properties of PAM-Ag-g/WS₂/Ti₃C₂T_x composite were proposed.

This paper reports an assessment of the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ nanotubes (TNTs) doped with strontium titanate (SrTiO₃) and sulfur (S) with respect to the decomposition of methylene blue (MB). TNT was obtained by the double anodizing method with further doping of strontium titanate by the hydrothermal method and additional annealing in an atmosphere of N₂ (95%) + H₂S (5%) at 450–550 °C. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated using MB as a pollutant and this study was conducted using an Osram Vita-Lux lamp with a power of 300W as a visible light source. The photocatalytic abilities of the synthesized materials were investigated, and characterized by methods such as SEM, TEM, XRD, EDS, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Our study showed that the SrTiO₃/TiO₂NT@S composite has a better photocatalytic decomposition ability for the dye under consideration compared to pure TNT and SrTiO₃/TiO₂NT. These results clearly demonstrate the potential of synthesized SrTiO₃/TiO₂NT@S material for applications in water purification and photocatalysis.