Functional nanomaterials are playing a crucial role in the emerging field of energy‐related devices. Recently, as a novel synthesis method, high‐temperature shock (HTS), which is rapid, low cost, eco‐friendly, universal, scalable, and controllable, has provided a promising option for the rational design and synthesis of various high‐quality nanomaterials. In this report, the HTS technique, including the equipment setup and operating principle, is systematically introduced, and recent progress in the synthesis of nanomaterials for energy storage and conversion applications using this HTS method is summarized. The growth mechanisms of nanoparticles and carbonaceous nanomaterials are thoroughly discussed, followed by the summary of the characteristic advantages of the HTS strategy. A series of nanomaterials prepared by the HTS method, including carbon‐based films, metal nanoparticles and compound nanoparticles, show high performance in the diverse applications of storage energy batteries, highly active catalysts, and smart energy devices. Finally, the future perspectives and directions of HTS in nanomanufacturing for broader applications are presented.
Recently, constructing noble metals in heterogeneous phases, denoted as phase engineering of nanomaterials, has attracted great attention. [7,8] In particular, developing amorphous/crystalline heterophase is explored to regulate the microstructure and properties, and the products exhibit desirable functionalities in energy conversion and storage applications, such as in catalysis, [9][10][11] battery, [12,13] solar cell, [14] electrochromic device, [15] and supercapacitor. [16] Although some progresses have been achieved, the development of individual nanostructure composed of both amorphous and crystalline phases is still in its fancy stage, with many challenges remained.Crystalline phase engineering requires a large portion of atoms to rearrange in a new distribution, which is distinguished from the shape control with only surface atoms involved, and thus is quite challenging. [17] Connected by the strong metallic bonds, noble metal atoms tend to form long range order with high degree of crystallization. Nevertheless, the glassy structure allows a number of dangling bonds to be exposed, providing more defect sites which can serve as trap sites to capture electrons and inert molecules. [18,19] As such, it is intensively expected to prepare new noble metals with amorphous/crystalline heterophase for promising use. Specific to the catalysis field, the presence of amorphous/crystalline heterophase allows more atoms to be exposed and activated at the phase boundaries, serving as new active sites for promoting the catalytic reaction. Meanwhile, the heterophase structure offers distinctive atomic arrangement with unique coordinated environment, which tremendously affects the ion adsorption and transport. Moreover, the synergism between different phase domains can enrich its electronic characters, modulate the interaction between active centers and reacting species, as well as the intermediates, and thus leading to a higher catalytic capability. Recently, Zhang and his co-authors have reported amorphous/ crystalline heterophase palladium (Pd) Nanosheets, [20] ultrathin amorphous/crystalline heterophase rhodium, [9] aging amorphous/crystalline heterophase Pd-copper [21] for catalytic reactions. However, to the best of our knowledge, preparing amorphous/crystalline heterophase ruthenium (Ru), accompanied by its catalytic application is rarely reported.Ru is the most inexpensive element among the noble metals, with the price approximately a quarter of that for Pt. It shows a To design and synthesize heterophase noble-metal materials is of crucial importance owing to their unique structure and apparent properties. Ruthenium (Ru) is one of the most active candidates for hydrogen evolution reaction because of its low price compared with other precious metals, which is favorable for industrial hydrogen cycle operation. In this study, free-standing amorphous/crystalline Ru nanosheets are facilely synthesized through a controlled annealing method. Charge redistribution occurs at the phase interface because of the work function ...
Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries with high theoretical energy density have been long considered as an alternative energy storage device to lithium‐ion batteries. Nevertheless, the polysulfide shuttle effects trigger fast capacity decay and short battery lifespan, severely hampering their practical utilizations. Herein, an efficient electrocatalyst comprising of nitrogen (N)‐coordinated binary metal single atoms (SAs) implanted within a hierarchical porous carbon skeleton (Fe/CoNHPC) is constructed to trap and catalyze polysulfides conversion through a separator coating strategy. It is demonstrated that the introduction of Co atom can enrich the electron number of Fe active center, thereby realizing the distinct synergistic catalytic effect of binary metal SAs and improving the bidirectional catalysis of Li–S redox reaction. As a result, Li–S batteries with the Fe/CoNHPC‐modified separator exhibit outstanding rate capability (740 mAh g−1 at 5.0 C), and superior long‐term cyclic stability (694 mAh g−1 after 600 cycles at 1.0 C). Increasing the sulfur loading to 4.8 mg cm−2, a remarkable areal capacity of 6.13 mAh cm−2 is achieved. Furthermore, in situ X‐ray diffraction and theoretical simulation results verify the catalysis mechanism of binary metal SAs by changing the rate‐determining steps, providing new directions for constructing high‐performance Li–S batteries.
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