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M13 bacteriophages serve as a versatile foundation for nanobiotechnology due to their unique biological and chemical properties. The polypeptides that comprise their coat proteins, specifically pVIII, can be precisely tailored through genetic engineering. This enables the customized integration of various functional elements through specific interactions, leading to the development of innovative hybrid materials for applications such as energy storage, biosensing, and catalysis. Notably, a certain genetically engineered M13 bacteriophage variant, referred to as DSPH, features a pVIII with a repeating DSPHTELP peptide sequence. This sequence facilitates specific adhesion to single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), primarily through π–π and hydrophobic interactions, though the exact mechanism remains unconfirmed. In this study, we synthesized the DSPHTELP peptide (an 8-mer peptide) and analyzed its interaction forces with different functional groups across various pH levels using surface forces apparatus (SFA). Our findings indicate that the 8-mer peptide binds most strongly to CH3 groups (Wad = 13.74 ± 1.04 mJ m−2 at pH 3.0), suggesting that hydrophobic interactions are indeed the predominant mechanism. These insights offer both quantitative and qualitative understanding of the molecular interaction mechanisms of the 8-mer peptide and clarify the basis of its specific interaction with SWCNTs through the DSPHTELP M13 bacteriophage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve efficient hydrogen production, researchers have focused on the development of various electrocatalysts using noble and certain transition metal elements; however, concerns regarding their sustainability are growing. Here, we report a new methodology—hydrogel embedding—that significantly improves the performance of Ni foam (NiF) electrodes for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) without the addition of any electrocatalysts. Hydrogel embedment significantly lowered the adhesion force of gas bubbles and imparted extremely bubble-repellent properties (i.e., superaerophobicity) to the underlying electrodes. Consequently, superaerophobic hydrogel-embedded NiF (HG-NiF) exhibited outstanding HER performance, even superior to that of NiF modified with commercial Pt/C catalysts under practically meaningful high-current conditions. For example, at −0.9 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, the HG-NiF and Pt/C NiF allowed current densities of −1.35 and −0.84 A cm−2, respectively. We demonstrate the practical applicability of superaerophobic hydrogels for efficient hydrogen production even without electrocatalysts made of environmentally less sustainable metallic elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation, tailorable modification of photoanodes with various functional layers is inevitably required to address the inherent limitations of the photoanodes. In this study, we report that N-doped graphene quantum dots derived from natural polyphenol tannic acid (N-TAGQDs) can form ultrathin and stable layers on a BiVO4 photoanode together with Co2+ ions (BiVO4/Co/N-TAGQD) by a simple dipping method and significantly improve PEC water-oxidation performance. A series of systematic analyses suggest the synergistic effect of graphitization of precursors to N-TAGQDs, N-doping, and the presence of phenolic groups to impart multifunctional roles of improving charge separation, hole storage, and catalytic activity. We believe that this simple method provides insights for the development of novel photoanodes and design of versatile carbon nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a fully solution processable bias-free photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell for overall solar water splitting using a Cu2O photocathode and a BiVO4 photoanode. They were modified with catalytic multilayers (CMs) for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER), respectively, using simple and versatile layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly. The deposition of the respective CMs composed of cationic polyelectrolyte and anionic molecular polyoxometalate (POM) electrocatalysts resulted in remarkably improved performance in terms of both photocatalytic activity and stability. Detailed PEC analysis revealed that the CMs not only facilitated (1) charge transport to and (2) catalytic charge transfer at the photoelectrode/electrolyte interface, but also suppressed the deactivation of photoelectrodes, especially a labile Cu2O photocathode, by the formation of a protective coating layer. As a result, we could successfully fabricate an efficient and stable PEC cell for unassisted solar water splitting without the use of toxic/hazardous chemicals and energetic processes, which have been inevitably employed. We believe that this study provides a simple and versatile platform for the design and fabrication of various forms of electrochemical PEC devices in an environmentally friendly manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene-wrapped metal oxide hybrid materials are synthesized through inspiration from natural CO2 mineralization. We created hierarchical, nanostructured graphene/metal oxide by converting a CO2-mineralized graphene oxide/CaCO3 precursor to metal-based minerals such as graphene-wrapped CuO hybrid materials, which highly enhanced the stability and recyclability of the CuO anode for Li ion batteries. The synthesis of graphene-wrapped metal oxide and its application to Li ion battery electrodes suggest a new possibility for hybridizing graphene and metal oxide nanoparticles using the inspiration of natural mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient and selective production of CH 4 through the CO 2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is a challenging task due to the high amount of energy consumption and various reaction pathways. Here, we report the synthesis of Zn-based polyoxometalate (ZnPOM) and its application in the photocatalytic CO2RR. Unlike conventional Zn-based catalysts that produce CO, ZnPOM can selectively catalyze the production of CH 4 in the presence of an Ir-based photosensitizer (TIr3) through the photocatalytic CO2RR. Photophysical and computation analyses suggest that selective photocatalytic production of CH 4 using ZnPOM and TIr3 can be attributed to (1) the exceptionally fast transfer of photogenerated electrons from TIr3 to ZnPOM through the strong molecular interactions between them and (2) effective transfer of electrons from ZnPOM to *CO intermediates due to significant hybridization of their molecular orbitals. This study provides insights into the design of novel CO2RR catalysts for CH 4 production beyond the limitations in conventional studies that focus on Cu-based materials.

Sustainable photochemical NADH regeneration and redox-enzymatic synthesis are accomplished by using CdS nanocrystals grown on the surface of SiO(2) beads. CdS nanocrystals grown on SiO(2) beads worked efficiently as a visible-light absorbing photocatalyst for in situ NADH regeneration with high catalytic activity and minimal loss of activity despite repeated uses., (© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011)

Carbon nanotube (CNT)-amorphous FePO(4) core-shell nanowires are synthesized by aqueous solution-based mineralization through sequential adsorption of Fe(3+) and PO(4)(3-) ions onto the CNT surface. The hierarchical nanostructure with FePO(4) shell directly grown on the CNT core exhibits excellent electrochemical properties and performance as a cathode material for Li ion batteries.