Exfoliated 2D Layered and Nonlayered Metal Phosphorous Trichalcogenides Nanosheets as Promising Electrocatalysts for CO₂ Reduction

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) materials catalysts provide an atomic-scale view on a fascinating arena for understanding the mechanism of electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction (CO 2 ECR). Here, we successfully exfoliated both layered and nonlayered ultra-thin metal phosphorous trichalcogenides (MPCh 3 ) nanosheets via wet grinding exfoliation (WGE), and systematically investigated the mechanism of MPCh 3 as catalysts for CO 2 ECR. Unlike the layered CoPS 3 and NiPS 3 nanosheets, the active Sn atoms tend to be exposed on the surfaces of nonlayered SnPS 3 nanosheets. Correspondingly, the nonlayered SnPS 3 nanosheets exhibit clearly improved catalytic activity, showing formic acid selectivity up to 31.6 % with À 7.51 mA cm À 2 at À 0.65 V vs. RHE. The enhanced catalytic performance can be attributed to the formation of HCOO* via the first proton-electron pair addition on the SnPS 3 surface. These results provide a new avenue to understand the novel CO 2 ECR mechanism of Sn-based and MPCh 3based catalysts.

Interfacial Engineering of Cobalt Thiophosphate with Strain Effect and Modulated Electron Structure for Boosting Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

“…have been explored as HER electrocatalysts and have received a great deal of attention due to their easily exfoliated layered structure, abundant active sites, and high chemical stability. [20][21][22][23] Despite the relatively poor intrinsic activity of these compounds reported earlier, their properties can be largely improved by chemical exfoliation, elemental doping, and compositing with reduced graphene oxide. [24][25][26] Moreover, it is well known that the HER activity of single-component catalysts can be improved by constructing heterojunctions consisting of two or more different compounds.…”

A Universal Design Strategy Based on NiPS3 Nanosheets towards Efficient Photothermal Conversion and Solar Desalination

“…In addition, HAADF‐STEM results suggest that the prepared nanosheets have a crystal structure consistent with previous reports (Figure 2h). [ 14 ] We also observed that the prepared nanosheets have point defects (Figure 2i), which is conducive to improving the photothermal conversion. [ 20 ] Figure 2j shows the results of STEM electron energy‐loss spectroscopy (EELS) maps, which reveal the presence of Ni, P, S, and C in Ni10P1, providing direct evidence for the successful preparation of the NiPS 3 /PVA nanocomposites.…”

“…As the typical MPCh 3 material, NiPS 3 nanosheet dispersions in organic solvents such as isopropanol (IPA) have attracted widespread attention, [ 14 ] and its small band gap (≈1.42 eV) [ 15 ] offers potential for photothermal conversion. The deposition of additives on the surface of 2D materials is an effective method to enhance their stability.…”

Shining light on layered metal phosphosulphide catalysts for efficient water electrolysis: preparation, promotion strategies, and perspectives

“…In addition to being used as an electrocatalyst for water splitting, MPS 3 -based catalysts can be developed for oxidation/reduction reactions, for example, CO 2 reduction, 107 nitrogen reduction, etc . However, the existing research is still at an early stage.…”