Electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation is considered a promising approach to achieve NH3 production. However, due to the chemical inertness of nitrogen, it is necessary to develop efficient catalysts to facilitate the process of nitrogen reduction. Here, molybdenum carbide nanodots embedded in ultrathin carbon nanosheets (Mo2C/C) are developed to serve as a catalyst candidate for highly efficient and robust N2 fixation through an electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). The as‐synthesized Mo2C/C nanosheets show excellent catalytic performance with a high NH3 yield rate (11.3 µg h−1 mg−1 Mo2C) and Faradic efficiency (7.8%) for NRR under ambient conditions. More importantly, the isotopic experiments using 15N2 as a nitrogen source confirm that the synthesized ammonia is derived from the direct supply of nitrogen. This result also demonstrates the possibility of high‐efficiency nitrogen reduction even though accompanied with vigorous hydrogen evolution.

The industrial process used to reduce N 2 to NH 3 , typically the Haber-Bosch process, is energy-intensive and highly dependent on fossil fuels, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions causing undesirable climate change. Electrochemical reduction of N 2 to NH 3 using renewable energy is one attractive approach to address this problem. A major challenge for electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is low catalytic activity, accompanied by ultralow selectivity. Current studies have made some breakthroughs in Faradaic efficiency, with reasonable current density, while remaining far from satisfying the needs of commercial applications. This review discusses current strategies, focusing on the perspectives of catalyst design, cell configuration, electrolyte choice, etc., to tackle the selectivity challenge. In addition, rigorous control experiments to eliminate possible ammonia contamination and standard ammonia detection methods to ensure data accuracy are proposed, providing guidance for the field of NRR studies. , he continued his studies there as a postdoctoral fellow in 2005. Now he is a full professor at the South China University of Technology, China. His interests focus on inorganic membranes, membrane reactor, and energy materials.

Constructing efficient catalysts for the N2 reduction reaction (NRR) is a major challenge for artificial nitrogen fixation under ambient conditions. Herein, inspired by the principle of “like dissolves like”, it is demonstrated that a member of the nitrogen family, well‐exfoliated few‐layer black phosphorus nanosheets (FL‐BP NSs), can be used as an efficient nonmetallic catalyst for electrochemical nitrogen reduction. The catalyst can achieve a high ammonia yield of 31.37 μg h−1 mg−1cat. under ambient conditions. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the active orbital and electrons of zigzag and diff‐zigzag type edges of FL‐BP NSs enable selective electrocatalysis of N2 to NH3 via an alternating hydrogenation pathway. This work proves the feasibility of using a nonmetallic simple substance as a nitrogen‐fixing catalyst and thus opening a new avenue towards the development of more efficient metal‐free catalysts.

ZIF-8 membranes with inborn-suppressed linker mobility sharpen molecular sieving with C3H6/C3H8 separation factor above 300.

Paracetamol (4′-hydroxyacetanilide, N-acetyl-paminophenol, acetaminophen, and paracetamol) is a widely used over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic drug. Paracetamol and structural analogs are ubiquitous in the natural environment and easily accumulate in aquatic environment, which have been detected in surface waters, wastewater, and drinking water throughout the world. Paracetamol wastewater is mainly treated by chemical oxidation processes. Although these chemical methods may be available for treating these pollutants, the harsh reaction conditions, the generation of secondary pollutants, and the high operational cost associated with these methods have often made them not a desirable choice. Biodegradation of paracetamol is being considered as an environmentally friendly and low-cost option. The goal of this review is to provide an outline of the current knowledge of biodegradation of paracetamol in the occurrence, degrading bacteria, and proposed metabolic/ biodegrading pathways, enzymes and possible intermediates. The comprehensive understanding of the metabolic pathways and enzyme systems involved in the utilization of paracetamol means will be helpful for optimizing and allowing rational design of biodegradation systems for paracetamol-contaminated wastewater.