Nature-derived distinctive architectures hold great promise for boosting supercapacitor performance through their multi-scale ion transport pathways and robust frameworks. However, simultaneously achieving interfacial charge modulation to break high energy-density limitations remains a fundamental challenge. Drawing inspiration from the hierarchical porosity and stimulus-responsive behavior of Dionaea muscipula (Venus flytrap) leaves, we engineer a biomimetic MnP₄/CoP₂ heterostructure through NH₄F-mediated hydrothermal synthesis and gas-phase phosphidation. The Venus flytrap-like nanosheet-nanowire network establishes dual-scale ion transport pathways: Primary nanosheets (7–10 μm) enable axial electrolyte diffusion highway, while vertically aligned secondary nanowires (~ 700 nm) enhance radial penetration via nanoconfined capillary effects. Concurrently, the MnP₄/CoP₂ heterointerface generates a built-in electric field (work function difference: 0.219 eV), driving interfacial electron transfer and modulating Mn/Co valence states to optimize OH⁻ adsorption energy (−3.51 eV) as confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This synergistic integration of morphology and interfacial engineering yields exceptional electrochemical performance: a high areal capacity of 3014 mC·cm⁻² at 1 mA·cm⁻², and 70.58% capacity retention after 8000 cycles. When paired with YP-50 in an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC), the MnP₄/CoP₂//YP-50 device delivers a high energy density of 88.5 Wh·kg⁻¹ at 798.8 W·kg⁻¹, outperforming state-of-the-art Mn/Co-based systems. In addition, the ASC exhibits exceptional cycling stability (68.29% capacity retention after 10,000 cycles at 5 A·g⁻¹) and practical viability, powering 12 light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for over 10 min. Our work proposes a design principle that integrates the wisdom of natural structures with rational heterostructure configuration, providing a scalable paradigm for developing advanced energy storage materials.

TiO₂/graphene composite photocatalysts have been prepared by a simple liquid phase deposition method using titanium tetrafluoride and electron beam (EB) irradiation-pretreated graphene as the raw materials. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The effects of varying the synthesis parameters such as graphene content, concentration of titanium tetrafluoride solution and irradiation dose were investigated. It was found that the preparation conditions had a significant effect on the structure and properties of the final products. The irradiated graphene was covered with petal-like anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles, which were more uniform and smaller in size than those in products synthesized without EB irradiation-pretreated graphene. The photocatalytic activities of the products were evaluated using the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange as a probe reaction. The results showed that the products synthesized using EB irradiation-pretreated graphene exhibited higher photocatalytic activities than those using graphene without EB irradiation pretreatment.

Titania nanotubes (TiO₂-NTs) are a potential drug vehicle for use in nanomedicine. To this end, a preliminary study of the interaction of a model cell with TiO₂-NTs has been carried out. TiO₂-NTs were first conjugated with a fluorescent label, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). FITC-conjugated titania nanotubes (FITC-TiO₂-NTs) internalized in mouse neural stem cells (NSCs, line C17.2) can be directly imaged by confocal microscopy. The confocal imaging showed that FITC-TiO₂-NTs readily entered into the cells. After co-incubation with cells for 24 h, FITC-TiO₂-NTs localized around the cell nucleus without crossing the karyotheca. More interestingly, the nanotubes passed through the karyotheca entering the cell nucleus after co-incubation for 48 h. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were also employed in tracking the nanotubes in the cell. These results will be of benefit in future studies of TiO₂-NTs for use as a drug vehicle, particularly for DNA-targeting drugs.