For supported catalysts, the synergistic effect of physicochemical properties (including oxygen storage capacity (OSC), metal–support interaction, dispersion, and reducibility) is crucial for methane partial oxidation (POM). This study aims to prepare Ni-based nanofibrous catalysts using traditional metal oxides (Al₂O₃, ZrO₂, CeO₂, Zr_0.92(Y₂O₃)_0.08O_2−δ, and Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_2−δ) as supports via electrospinning, and thoroughly investigates the synergistic effect of the catalyst’s physicochemical properties on catalytic performance. For the Ni/Zr_0.92(Y₂O₃)_0.08O_2−δ and Ni/Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_2−δ catalysts, doping significantly enhances Ni dispersion, reducibility, and OSC, thereby improving catalytic performance. The results demonstrate that the catalytic activity follows the following order: Ni/Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_2−δ > Ni/CeO₂ > Ni/Zr_0.92(Y₂O₃)_0.08O_2−δ > Ni/ZrO₂ > Ni/Al₂O₃, which is closely associated with the synergistic effect of their physicochemical properties. In addition, this study focuses on elucidating the underlying mechanism by which the Gd³⁺ doping level influences the catalytic performance of the Ni/Ce_0.9Gd_xO_2−δ (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) catalysts. The Ni/Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_2−δ catalyst exhibits the optimal Ni dispersion, reducibility, and OSC, corresponding to the highest catalytic performance. This re-emphasizes the crucial role of the synergistic effect of the catalyst’s physicochemical properties in determining catalytic performance. Therefore, investigating this synergistic effect is essential for achieving superior catalytic performance.

The large-scale production and utilization of nitrogen-containing compounds have greatly promoted the development of modern agriculture and the chemical industry, but have also resulted in increasingly severe nitrate contamination and an imbalance of the nitrogen cycle. The efficient conversion of nitrate into value-added ammonia not only contributes to pollutant remediation but also provides a promising route for green ammonia synthesis. Owing to its mild reaction conditions, potentially lower environmental impact, and compatibility with renewable electricity, electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia has attracted considerable attention in recent years. This process involves a multielectron transfer process involving numerous intermediate transformations, and its catalytic performance largely depends on the adsorption and conversion of key intermediates on the catalyst surface, as well as the suppression of the competing hydrogen evolution reaction. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia, with emphasis on the reaction mechanisms and major reaction pathways, as well as the design strategies, structure–activity relationships, and performance enhancement mechanisms of metal-based, carbon-based, and composite catalysts. In addition, the main challenges in this field, including product selectivity, mass transport, in-situ mechanistic characterization, and long-term stability, are discussed. Finally, the construction of highly efficient catalytic systems and key directions for future research are outlined, with particular emphasis on nitrate valorization and sustainable ammonia synthesis.

Mechanically compliant aerogels are increasingly important for wearable systems that require lightweight porous materials to retain function under repeated deformation. However, compressibility and stretchability impose different structural demands and should not be treated as equivalent manifestations of flexibility. This review provides a loading-mode-specific framework of compressible and stretchable aerogels. It summarizes how network chemistry, interfacial interactions, and multiscale architectures govern deformation, recovery, strength, and fatigue resistance under compression and tension. The relationships between these mechanical characteristics and thermal, spectral, and electrical functions are subsequently discussed in the context of wearable personal thermal management sensors, biosensors, and flexible energy-storage devices. Finally, current challenges are summarized in terms of mechanical–functional balancing, long-term durability, and scalable fabrication, providing guidance for the future development of mechanically reliable aerogel-based wearable materials.