Integrated transition metal and compounds with carbon nanomaterials for electrochemical water splitting

Abstract

We highlight the recent development of the integration of transition metals and compounds with carbon nanomaterials for electrocatalytic water splitting.

Graphdiyne‐Stabilized Silver Nanoparticles as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for CO2 Reduction

“…In addition, previous studies of GDY composites by Li's group have proved that the unique high π ‐conjugated construction in GDY can facilitate the strong coupling between the π/π * orbitals in the benzene ring ( sp 2 ‐C) as well as the diacetylenic groups ( sp ‐C) of GDY and the d orbital in zero‐valence metal, which can result in the rapid electron transfer between the metal atoms and GDY. [ 61,66,68 ] Furthermore, compared with the high‐resolution C 1 s XPS spectrum of the pure GDY (Figure 2f ii), the XPS of Ag/GDY/CC (Figure 2f i) shows a new peak at 290.12 eV, which is due to the π–π * transitions caused by the restoration of the delocalized conjugated structure, indicating the electronic interaction between the AgNPs and GDY. [ 61,66,67 ] In contrast, it can be found from the Raman spectra of Ag/GDY/C (Figure 2b,c) that the characteristic peaks of D band (1360 cm −1 ) and G band (1578 cm −1 ), as well as the vibrations of conjugated diacetylene chain (1927 and 2178 cm −1 ), are all shifted significantly compared with pure GDY.…”

“…[ 17 ] These results further assure that there is strong electron transfer through the intimate interaction between phase interface of GDY and AgNPs. [ 68,69 ] Hence, the in situ deposition of AgNPs onto the highly conjugated GDY support with the intimate contact can finely decrease the charge transfer resistance between the phase interface and also highly activate the Ag (111) plane of the AgNPs through the interaction between phase interface electrons, thereby tremendously improving its performance for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO 2 to CO. [ 14,15 ] Furthermore, the electron transfer at the interfaces between the electron‐rich GDY and AgNPs can greatly enhance the intrinsic activity of the Ag/GDY/CC composite. [ 68,69 ]…”

“…In contrast, the transformation of electrons between the phase interface of GDY and AgNPs should be through the strong coupling between the π / π * orbitals of GDY and the d orbital in Ag; meanwhile, the charge occupation can be mutually compensated via the band overlapping between C‐(2 s 2 p ) orbital of GDY and d orbital of Ag atom; thus, the oxidation state of Ag should be stable. [ 61,66,68 ]…”

Controllable and facile preparation of Co9S8–Ni3S2 heterostructures embedded with N,S,O-tri-doped carbon for electrocatalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

“…25,26 Compared with nickel-based catalysts obtained only by anion/cation modulation, the strategy of introducing carbon materials to construct a heterogeneous interface is more attractive and feasible. 27,28 For example, high selectivity and efficiency in HMF oxidation could be achieved over a flower-like hybrid composed of sulfur-modulated metallic nickel nanoparticles and carbon frameworks (S-Ni@C). 27 Fu et al reported that a porous nano-axis composed of a carbon-coated MoO 2 -FeP heterojunction (MoO 2 -FeP@C) exhibits an excellent bifunctional catalytic performance.…”

Empirical approach for configuring high‐entropy catalysts in alkaline water electrolysis

“…Thus, developing highly active and cheap electrocatalysts is one of the key technologies for enhancing the performance of AWE 2 . In the past decade, several studies have focused on transition metal‐based electrocatalysts (eg, phosphides and sulfides) because of their high activities, abundance, and stability 3‐6 . For further improvement on their catalytic performance, various strategies have been proposed including the morphological controls to increase the number of active sites and compositional modulation to enhance intrinsic catalytic activity 7 .…”