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DFT calculations reveal that S-doping not only decreases the absolute value of ΔGH (move toward zero) but also significantly lowers the kinetic barrier energy of the rate-determining step of the HER on S-CoSe2, leading to a greatly improved HER performance.Our ability to precisely control the electronic coupling/decoupling of adsorbates from surfaces is an essential goal. It is not only important for fundamental studies in surface science, but also in several applied domains including for example miniaturized molecular electronic or for the development of various devices such as nanoscale bio-sensors or photovoltaic cells. Here, we provide atomic scale experimental and theoretical investigations of a semi-insulating layer grown on a silicon surface via its epitaxy with CaF2. We show that, following the formation of a wetting layer, the ensuing organized unit cells are coupled to additional physisorbed CaF2 molecules, periodically located in their surroundings. This configuration shapes the formation of stripes that functionalize the semiconductor surface. The obtained assembly, having a monolayer thickness, reveals a surface gap energy of ~ 3.2 eV. The adsorption of iron-tetraphenylporphyrin molecules on the ribbons of stripes is used to estimate the electronic insulating properties of this structure via differential conductance measurements. Endocrinology agonist Density functional theory (DFT) including several levels of complexity (annealing, DFT+U and non-local van der Waals functionals) are employed to reproduce our experimental observations. Our findings offer a unique and robust template that brings an alternative solution to electronic semi-insulating layer on metal surfaces such as NaCl. Hence, CaF2/Si(100) ribbon of stripes structures, which lengths can reach more than 100 nm, can be used as a versatile surface platform for various atomic scale study of molecular devices.Performance degradation of lithium/sodium-ion capacitors (LICs/SICs) mainly originates from anode pulverization, particularly the alloying and conversion types, and has spurred research for alternatives with an insertion mechanism. Three-dimensional (3D) topotactic host materials remain much unexplored compared to two-dimensional (2D) ones (graphite, etc.). Herein, vanadium monophosphide (VP) is designed as a 3D topotactic host anode. Ex situ electrochemical characterizations reveal that there are no phase changes during (de)intercalation, which follows the topotactic intercalation mechanism. Computational simulations also confirm the metallic feature and topotactic structure of VP with a spacious interstitial position for the accommodation of guest species. To boost the electrochemical performance, carbon nano-onions (CNOs) are coupled with 3D VP. Superior specific capacity and rate capability of VP-CNOs vs lithium/sodium can be delivered due to the fast ion diffusion nature. An exceptional capacity retention of above 86% is maintained after 20 000 cycles, benefitting from the topotactic intercalation process. The optimized LICs/SICs exhibit high energy/power densities and an ultrastable lifespan of 20 000 cycles, which outperform most of the state-of-the-art LICs and SICs, demonstrating the potential of VP-CNOs as insertion anodes. This exploration would draw attention with regard to insertion anodes with 3D topotactic host topology and provide new insights into anode selection for LICs/SICs.It is a great challenge for achieving efficiently controllable conversion of chlorinated organics through BiVO4-based photoelectrochemical methods by improving the selective adsorption of such organics and charge separation. Herein, we have successfully fabricated SnO2/010 facet-exposed BiVO4 nanocomposites by a series of hydrothermal processes and further used as efficient photoanodes. The resulting photoanode exhibits about 6.3 times higher photoelectrochemical activity than bulk-BiVO4, especially with the efficiently controllable conversion of 2,4-dichlo