Nature Catalysis最新文献

{"title":"Consequences of overtones in Raman spectra for assigning nickel anode surface structures as NiO2 during alkaline electrolysis","authors":"Justus Leist,Annika Neufischer,Timo Jacob,Albert K. Engstfeld","doi":"10.1038/s41929-026-01613-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-026-01613-9","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Ni-based anodes are among the most active and cost-effective oxygen evolution reaction catalysts for alkaline electrolysis. The current mechanistic understanding assumes that the anode surface is terminated by nickel oxohydroxide (NiOOH) under operating conditions. Here, by combining isotope-labelled in situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy measurements with density functional theory-calculated Raman spectra, we elucidate that the catalytically active surface is exclusively terminated by nickel dioxide (NiO 2 ) instead. Furthermore, bands previously assigned to superoxides are attributed to overtones and combination bands. On the basis of additional measurements on Co- and Mn-based oxides, we suggest that these features predominantly appear in layered materials. Moreover, the observed shifts at varying pH, potentials and electrolyte composition are rationalized by a vibrational Stark effect rather than by changes in the material or adsorbate structure. Finally, the implications for the mechanistic interpretation of the oxygen evolution reaction on Ni-based anodes are discussed on the basis of the revised structural assignment.","PeriodicalId":18845,"journal":{"name":"Nature Catalysis","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":37.8,"publicationDate":"2026-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148933834","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unlocking reaction pathways for CO2 and CO electrocatalytic reduction to C3+ hydrocarbons and oxygenates using plasma activation","authors":"Ji-Yong Kim \u0000 (김지용), Omar Biondo, Yuanzuo Gao, Kelby Anderson, Julia Simon, Yingzheng Fan, Hailiang Wang, Annemie Bogaerts, Lea R. Winter","doi":"10.1038/s41929-026-01609-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-026-01609-5","url":null,"abstract":"Despite recent progress in electrocatalytic CO2 and CO conversion, improvement in the generation of high-value multi-carbon products is required for practical sustainability goals. Here we report a plasma–electrocatalysis platform that delivers non-thermal plasma-activated CO2 or CO to a Cu gas diffusion electrode, enabling electrocatalytic conversion of plasma species while avoiding quenching in the electrolyte. Co-feeding CO2 and CO enhances C3+ and alcohol productivities by 3.3 and 1.5 times, respectively, compared with electrocatalysis alone. In addition, plasma activation unlocks the formation of chemicals that are not generated through electrocatalytic-only pathways, including methanol, acetylene, ethane, propane, butane and butanol. Plasma simulation, experimental evidence and in situ analysis suggest that vibrationally excited molecules and carbon suboxide can lead to the emergence and enrichment of certain reaction intermediates on Cu, accounting for the effects of the plasma activation on the electrocatalysis. The synergistic plasma–electrocatalytic conversion provides pathways towards the electrosynthesis of high-value chemicals and fuels at elevated production rates.","PeriodicalId":18845,"journal":{"name":"Nature Catalysis","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":37.8,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148899535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of individual nickel surface species in the hydrogen evolution reaction on nickel in alkaline electrolytes","authors":"Dzevad K. Kozlica, Matjaž Finšgar, Pedro Farinazzo Bergamo Dias Martins, Matej Huš, Boštjan Genorio, Justin G. Connell, Milena Martins, Matěj Hývl, Taja Žibert, Katja Andrina Varda, Azra Osmić, Marjan Bele, Blaž Likozar, Blaž Tomc, Miran Gaberšček, Dušan Strmčnik","doi":"10.1038/s41929-026-01605-9","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41929-026-01605-9","url":null,"abstract":"The role of Ni surface species in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under alkaline conditions remains a key challenge in the development of cost-effective and efficient catalysts for sustainable hydrogen production. Here we systematically investigate well-defined Ni surfaces through carefully designed experiments to unravel the contributions of specific Ni species (NiO, Ni(OH)2 and NiHx) to HER kinetics. Using detailed electrochemical and surface characterization, combined with density functional theory calculations, we demonstrate that NiO, contrary to a body of literature, acts as a passive spectator, blocking active sites without altering intrinsic activity; NiHx inhibits HER by modifying the electronic structure of Ni; and Ni(OH)2 promotes HER by facilitating water dissociation and creating new, highly active sites in its vicinity on metallic Ni. Our findings establish a unified framework for understanding the intrinsic activity of Ni-based catalysts, addressing discrepancies in the literature and providing insights into the design of next-generation alkaline water electrolysers. Understanding the role of nickel surface species in the hydrogen evolution reaction under alkaline conditions is crucial for developing precious-metal-free water electrolysers. Now, by systematically studying well-defined Ni surfaces, the authors dissect the contribution of NiO, NiHx and Ni(OH)2 species to the hydrogen evolution reaction.","PeriodicalId":18845,"journal":{"name":"Nature Catalysis","volume":"9 9","pages":"1036-1047"},"PeriodicalIF":48.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41929-026-01605-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148899536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enzymatic skeletal editing reaction forming the 1,3,5-triazine core during biosynthesis of the anticancer nucleoside analogue 5-azacytidine","authors":"Akari Umezawa, Takeshi Tsunoda, Yu Nakashima, Yung-Lin Wang, Tomoki Yoneda, Chitose Maruyama, Ning-Shian Hsu, Taro Matsuyama, Kazunori Miyamoto, Hajime Sato, Asuha Shimose, Reo Takazawa, Yoshimitsu Hamano, Tsung-Lin Li, Yasuhide Inokuma, Masanobu Uchiyama, Yasushi Ogasawara, Hiroyuki Morita, Tohru Dairi","doi":"10.1038/s41929-026-01611-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-026-01611-x","url":null,"abstract":"5-Azacytidine is a cytidine-mimic nucleoside containing the 1,3,5-triazine base 5-azacytosine and is currently used to treat myelodysplastic syndrome, a group of blood cancers. 5-Azacytidine was initially reported as a synthetic cytidine analogue before its isolation as a natural product in 1966. Since then, its biosynthesis has remained unexplored, probably because it was regarded as a synthetic analogue. Here we identified the 5-azacytidine biosynthetic gene cluster and revealed unusual catalytic reactions underlying 5-azacytosine biosynthesis through biochemical, structural and density functional theory analyses. AzcE, a guanosine triphosphate (GTP) cyclohydrolase, converts GTP to 2,5,6-triaminopyrimidin-4(1H)-one; AzcA, a cupin domain-containing enzyme, remodels the carbon–nitrogen framework of the pyrimidine into 6-amino-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-1,3,5-triazine-2-carboxylic acid through selective cleavage and reassembly of the heterocyclic skeleton; and AzcB/C catalyses an unusual thiamine pyrophosphate-dependent decarboxylation at the α‑imino carboxylic acid moiety of the AzcA product to complete 5‑azacytosine biosynthesis. This work uncovers intriguing enzymatic chemistry in the biosynthesis of a long-known therapeutic natural product, highlighting opportunities for discovering enzymatic diversity.","PeriodicalId":18845,"journal":{"name":"Nature Catalysis","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":37.8,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148899534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Harnessing through-space orbital interactions for multicentred organosulfur catalysis","authors":"Woojin Lee,Jason Kim,Hyunji Lee,Yujeong Hwang,Jiseong Park,Seunghoon Lee,Jongwoo Lim,Seung Youn Hong","doi":"10.1038/s41929-026-01602-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-026-01602-y","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18845,"journal":{"name":"Nature Catalysis","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":37.8,"publicationDate":"2026-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148895732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Desolvated cations promote CO2 electroreduction through partial covalent interactions","authors":"Yu Shan, Maximilian Jaugstetter, Julian Feijóo, Yani Guan, Tianle Wang, Lorenz J. Falling, Jialu Li, Honghe Ding, Alex Sachelarie, Maria V. Fonseca Guzman, Xiao Zhao, Robert Michael Kowalski, Slavomír Nemšák, Jinghua Guo, Philippe Sautet, Miquel B. Salmeron, Peidong Yang","doi":"10.1038/s41929-026-01604-w","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41929-026-01604-w","url":null,"abstract":"Cations play a critical role in electrochemical CO2 reduction, yet the mechanisms underlying their influence remain incompletely understood owing to limited knowledge of their solvation structures and interfacial interactions under operating conditions. Here we combine surface-sensitive total electron yield X-ray absorption spectroscopy, surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations to determine the solvation environment of caesium ions near a ligand-modified silver nanocatalyst under CO2-reducing conditions. We find that desolvated Cs+ ions, confined between a detached ligand layer and the silver surface, enable CO2 activation at potentials as high as 0.4 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode—reducing the overpotential for CO2-to-CO conversion by 250 mV compared with a bare Ag film. Our results further reveal partial covalent character in Cs–intermediate interactions, which directly accounts for the enhanced catalytic activity. These findings provide multimodal spectroscopic evidence that cations can modulate reaction kinetics beyond purely electrostatic effects. The mechanism of cation enhancement in electrocatalytic CO2 reduction has been widely debated but spectroscopic evidence under operating conditions is lacking. Now operando X-ray and surface-enhanced infrared spectroscopy are combined with theory to reveal that desolvated Cs+ cations enable CO2 activation at substantially reduced overpotentials through partial covalent interactions.","PeriodicalId":18845,"journal":{"name":"Nature Catalysis","volume":"9 9","pages":"1009-1022"},"PeriodicalIF":48.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148899537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ketene-driven Mizoroki–Heck cross-coupling","authors":"Massimo Melchiorre, Alessandro Bismuto","doi":"10.1038/s41929-026-01597-6","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41929-026-01597-6","url":null,"abstract":"Mizoroki–Heck reactivity has mostly been confined to the coupling of aryl (pseudo)halides with olefins. Now, the exploitation of ketenes generated in situ has unlocked direct access to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and divinyl ketones via a Heck-type pathway.","PeriodicalId":18845,"journal":{"name":"Nature Catalysis","volume":"9 9","pages":"929-931"},"PeriodicalIF":48.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149014824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Highly ordered, ultra-dense intermetallic nanocrystals extend heavy-duty fuel cell projected lifetime beyond 240,000 h","authors":"Liang Ding \u0000 (, ), Ze-Cheng Yao \u0000 (, ), Tang Tang \u0000 (, ), Xin Wan \u0000 (, ), Xiaozhi Liu \u0000 (, ), Zhe Jiang \u0000 (, ), Jiaju Fu \u0000 (, ), Zhuo-Qi Shi \u0000 (, ), Jing Tai \u0000 (, ), Zhen-Hua Lyu \u0000 (, ), Jichen Dong \u0000 (, ), Qing Li \u0000 (, ), Dong Su \u0000 (, ), Jianglan Shui \u0000 (, ), Jin-Song Hu \u0000 (, ), Li-Jun Wan \u0000 (, )","doi":"10.1038/s41929-026-01607-7","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41929-026-01607-7","url":null,"abstract":"High-performance cathode catalysts are essential for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. Intermetallic nanocrystals are promising candidates but suffer from intrinsic activity–durability trade-offs because their comprehensive catalytic properties are determined by several intertwined structural factors that cannot be optimized independently by existing synthesis techniques. The challenge lies in the inherent thermodynamic and kinetic constraints during synthesis. Here we develop a decoupled synthesis strategy that leverages block-copolymer micelle confinement, which enables the customized synthesis of libraries of intermetallic nanocrystals, simultaneously achieving ultra-small size, ultra-high ordering degree, tailorable loading density, narrow size distribution, compositional uniformity, and broad compositional and substrate universality. The developed Pt3Co intermetallic nanocrystal/Ketjenblack catalyst achieves a rated power density of 1.08 W cm−2 and 92% rated power retention after 30,000 cycles under light-duty-vehicle conditions and 900 h of stable operation at 10 A. It also delivered a 70.2% cell efficiency without degradation and 98.4% specific power retention after 90,000 cycles of heavy-duty-vehicle applications. This performance led us to project a lifetime of 240,000 h. Oxygen reduction catalysts are critical for advancing the durability and efficiency of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Now a block-copolymer micelle confinement strategy is shown to enable the decoupled synthesis of highly ordered, ultra-dense Pt-based intermetallic nanocrystals, yielding PEMFC catalysts with high activity and long projected lifetimes.","PeriodicalId":18845,"journal":{"name":"Nature Catalysis","volume":"9 9","pages":"1023-1035"},"PeriodicalIF":48.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148853455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"pH-dependent interaction of interfacial water with Pt in the electrocatalytic hydrogen oxidation reaction","authors":"Wen-xuan Liang, De-quan Cao, Ze-Tong Jia, Zhi-You Zhou, Chun-Hua Zhen, Xiao-Yu Li, HuiMin Han, Zu-Wei Yin, Yao Zhou, Jun-Tao Li, Tao Wang, Shi-Gang Sun","doi":"10.1038/s41929-026-01603-x","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41929-026-01603-x","url":null,"abstract":"The electrocatalytic hydrogen oxidation reaction on Pt is orders of magnitude slower in alkaline solutions than in acidic solutions. Here, by measuring the ratio of mass change to charge change for the oxidation of adsorbed hydrogen (Had) in Ar/H2/D2, we show that the oxidative desorption of Had off Pt is coupled with the adsorption of water molecules on Pt in acidic solutions. Conversely, it occurs directly without obvious ad/desorption of H2O or OH− up to approximately 0.12 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode in alkaline solutions. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the interfacial water in acidic environments demonstrates rotational flexibility, which can serve as a proton acceptor assisting in the stripping of Had from Pt. By contrast, in alkaline solutions, owing to dielectric saturation, the reorientation of interfacial water and its interaction with Had suffer from a higher energy barrier, constituting a key mechanistic origin of the sluggish alkaline hydrogen oxidation reaction kinetics on Pt electrodes. The electrocatalytic hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) on Pt is orders of magnitude slower in alkaline media compared with acidic media. Here, by measuring the mass–charge change at the electrode during the HOR, the simultaneous adsorption of water molecules during desorption of hydrogen is observed only under acidic conditions.","PeriodicalId":18845,"journal":{"name":"Nature Catalysis","volume":"9 9","pages":"998-1008"},"PeriodicalIF":48.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148853456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electrochemical coupling of CO2 and phosphite for foscarnet synthesis","authors":"Hengan Wang, Ran Duan, Yiyong Wang, Meng Zhou, Wenling Zhao, Jiahao Yang, Yaoyu Yin, Shipeng Zhang, Shiqiang Liu, Zhongnan Ling, Huisheng Qin, Ke Li, Xing Tong, Pei Zhang, Qinggong Zhu, Yi Xu, Xinchen Kang, Buxing Han","doi":"10.1038/s41929-026-01608-6","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41929-026-01608-6","url":null,"abstract":"Foscarnet is a clinically vital antiviral drug with substantial market value, yet its conventional synthesis remains challenging. The coupling of CO2 with phosphite represents an attractive and sustainable alternative route for foscarnet production, although this approach has not been successfully demonstrated so far. Here we show the electrosynthesis of foscarnet via the coupling of CO2 and phosphite, enabled by an ionic liquid-modified bismuth (IL@Bi) catalyst. The IL@Bi catalyst achieves a Faradaic efficiency of 37.5% towards foscarnet with a current density of 224.2 mA cm−2. The production rate over IL@Bi is 1,555.6 μmol cm−2 h−1, which is ten times higher than that over unmodified Bi. Mechanistic studies reveal that the IL in IL@Bi enhances the generation of CO2·− radicals in the electrolyte through IL radical-mediated electron transfer. It also facilitates the encounter between CO2·− and PO3·2−, enabling efficient foscarnet synthesis. C–P coupling of CO2 and phosphite to produce the pharmaceutically relevant compound foscarnet could offer a way to synthesize a valuable compound from waste materials. Now, this reaction is demonstrated electrocatalytically using an ionic liquid-modified Bi electrode.","PeriodicalId":18845,"journal":{"name":"Nature Catalysis","volume":"9 9","pages":"989-997"},"PeriodicalIF":48.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148853473","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}