Just Accepted

Zili Ma*
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjsc.2026.100968
ABSTRACT
The demonstration
of this superlattice architecture provides a compelling new strategy for the
design of advanced photocatalytic materials. Rather than relying on local
atomic coordination tuning, this approach utilizes precise epitaxial strain to
generate macroscopic electrostatic fields, thereby governing internal charge
dynamics. This methodology provides a generalizable strategy: exploiting the
QCSE can be extended to other polar material systems—such as transition metal
dichalcogenides or polar perovskites—to promote long-lived excitons for various
energy conversion applications. Moving forward, addressing the gradual
degradation over extended operational periods (e.g., >500 hours) will be
crucial for practical applications. Specifically, the chemical leaching of
transition metal co-catalysts in harsh saline environments, as observed in the
seawater tests, can lead to a continuous loss of active surface redox sites and
a subsequent decline in overall catalytic efficiency. To mitigate this issue
and enhance long-term durability, future research could focus on employing
conformal protective layers, such as those deposited via atomic layer
deposition (ALD), or engineering stronger metal-support interactions to anchor
the co-catalyst clusters more firmly to the nitride nanowire surfaces. As
research increasingly focuses on improving the long-term stability of active
sites in such demanding environments, the structural principles demonstrated in
this excitonic architecture offer a robust foundation for developing scalable
and practically viable artificial photosynthesis systems.