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Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are fabricated based on anatase TiO(2) nanosheets (TiO(2)-NSs) with exposed {001} facets, which were obtained by a simple one-pot hydrothermal route using HF as a morphology controlling agent and Ti(OC(4)H(9))(4) as precursor. The prepared samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and N(2) adsorption-desorption isotherms. The photoelectric conversion performances of TiO(2)-NSs solar cells are also compared with TiO(2) nanoparticles (TiO(2)-NPs) and commercial-grade Degussa P25 TiO(2) nanoparticle (P25) solar cells at the same film thickness, and their photoelectric conversion efficiencies (η) are 4.56, 4.24 and 3.64%, respectively. The enhanced performance of the TiO(2)-NS solar cell is due to their good crystallization, high pore volume, large particle size and enhanced light scattering. The prepared TiO(2) nanosheet film electrode should also find wide-ranging potential applications in various fields including photocatalysis, catalysis, electrochemistry, separation, purification and so on.

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The cobalt–nitrogen catalyst shows high activity for selective reduction of nitro compounds with H2 and other hydrogen donors.

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A new method for the selective aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) has been developed employing a magnetically separable [γ-Fe 2 O 3 @HAP-Pd(0)] catalyst. The catalyst was prepared by the exchange of Pd 2+ with Ca 2+ in γ-Fe 2 O 3 @HAP, followed by reduction of the Pd 2+ to Pd(0) nanoparticles, and well characterized by TEM, XRD and XPS. The catalyst showed high activity in the oxidation of HMF to FDCA in water, with 97% HMF conversion and a 92.9% yield of FDCA under optimal reaction conditions. The method developed has demonstrated some advantages, including its sole requirement of a stoichiometric base, and high catalytic performance under atmospheric oxygen, even in air. More importantly, the γ-Fe 2 O 3 @HAP-Pd(0) catalyst was readily separated from the reaction solution using an external magnetic field and was successfully reused during five consecutive reaction runs while retaining its catalytic effectiveness. This study provides a green and sustainable method for the production of valuable chemicals from renewable resources.

This review briefly summarizes recent advances in fluorine ions-mediated morphology control of anatase TiO 2 in the forms of nanotube arrays, nanosheets with high-energy facets, and hollow spheres. The correlations between the enhanced photocatalytic activity and structural and morphological modifications of anatase TiO 2 by fluorine ions are addressed.