Actiniae‐like carbon nitride (ACN) bundles were synthesized by the pyrolysis of an asymmetric supramolecular precursor prepared from L‐arginine (L‐Arg) and melamine. ACN has adjustable band gaps (2.25 eV–2.75 eV) and hollow microtubes with ultrathin pore walls, which enrich reaction sites, improve visible‐light absorption and enhance charge separation. In the presence of phenylcarbinol, ACN exhibited excellent water‐splitting ability (95.3 μmol h−1) and in the meanwhile phenylcarbinol was selectively oxidized to benzaldehyde (conversion of 90.9 %, selectivity of 99.7 %) under solar irradiation. For the concurrent reactions, 2D isotope labeling, separation, and detection were conducted to confirm that the proton source of released hydrogen is water. The mechanism of water splitting and phenylcarbinol oxidation was also investigated.

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Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have attracted increasing interest over the last decades because of their activities on redox balance in human body. However, the SeNPs tend to aggregate into large clusters, resulting in lower bioactivity, bioavailability and biocompatibility. Surface-capping agents on SeNPs play crucial roles in its stabilization and biological activity. Here, a green synthesis method for the preparation of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides capped SeNPs using green tea extracts as reductants under mild conditions, at room temperature, is reported. The structure, size, morphology and thermal behaviour were analyzed by various characterization techniques. The functionalized nanoparticles demonstrated high antioxidant activity, including DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging. Moreover, the SeNPs significantly protected the HO-induced PC-12 cell death. Taken together, these results evidence the possible application of these SeNPs as antioxidants food supplement or ingredient and neuroprotective agent.