II–VI semiconductor nanoplatelets have emerged as promising photocatalysts due to their tunable band structures, low cost, and unique two-dimensional geometry. The atomically confined thickness induces strong quantum confinement, enabling efficient charge separation, abundant surface-active sites, and precise structural regulation. These features make them attractive for solar-driven processes, including hydrogen evolution, CO₂ reduction, and pollutant degradation. This review summarizes recent advances in the controlled synthesis and structural regulation of II–VI nanoplatelets, focusing on thickness control, ligand engineering, defect modulation, heterostructure design, and ion exchange-driven transformations. The photocatalytic mechanisms are discussed by correlating structural characteristics with light absorption, charge dynamics, and surface reaction pathways. Representative applications in energy conversion and environmental remediation are highlighted. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives are outlined to guide the rational design of high-performance nanoplatelet-based photocatalysts. This work provides a framework for the rational design of efficient and stable nanoplatelet-based photocatalysts.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are versatile materials with tunable pore structures, high surface areas, and diverse chemical functionalities, making them ideal for applications in catalysis, sensing, gas separation, and drug delivery. However, their bulk or powdered forms often limit performance due to poor dispersion and low functional integration. This challenge has driven the rapid development of MOF patterning techniques. This review explores various patterning methods, including template-induced growth method, printing techniques, conventional lithography and emerging direct photolithographic strategies, highlighting their principles, advantages, and limitations. We also discuss the broad applications of MOF patterning in energy devices, biosensors, and biomedical fields, emphasizing its potential in advancing performance. In addition, we address the challenge of balancing the quality of patterning resolution with the performance of MOF materials. By offering insights into both methodologies and applications, this review provides valuable guidance for researchers, fostering innovation in MOF-based multifunctional devices across diverse scientific fields.

Achieving nanoconfinement-controlled synthesis of nanoplatelets (NPLs) via solution process under ambient condition remains a challenge. In this work, we developed a general ligand-induced strategy to synthesize colloidal stable all-inorganic semiconductor NPLs with controllable lateral dimensions. By introducing certain metal salts (cations: Zn²⁺ and In³⁺, anions: NO₃⁻, BF₄⁻, or triflate OTf⁻), wurtzite-structured (WZ-) CdS, CdSe, CdTe, and alloy Cd_1−xZn_xSe NPLs were directly synthesized in solution through the controlled diffusion of magic-size clusters (MSCs) at room temperature. Mechanism studies revealed that destabilization of MSCs and nanoconfined growth in templates facilitated the formation of NPLs. The present study not only provides a new synthetic route for the preparation of NPLs but also helps to provide insight into their probable formation mechanism and presents an important advance toward the rational design of functional nanomaterials.