Metal–organic framework derived nanomaterials for electrocatalysis: recent developments for CO2 and N2 reduction

Abstract

In recent years, we are witnessing a substantially growing scientific interest in MOFs and their derived materials in the field of electrocatalysis. MOFs acting as a self-sacrificing template offer various advantages for the synthesis of carbon-rich materials, metal oxides, and metal nanostructures containing graphitic carbon-based materials benefiting from the high surface area, porous structure, and abundance of metal sites and organic functionalities. Yet, despite recent advancement in the field of MOF-derived materials, there are still several significant challenges that should be overcomed, to obtain better control and understanding on the factors determining their chemical, structural and catalytic nature. In this minireview, we will discuss recently reported advances in the development of promising methods and strategies for the construction of functional MOF-derived materials and their application as highly-active electrocatalysts for two important energy-related reactions: nitrogen reduction to produce ammonia, and CO2 reduction into carbon-based fuels. Moreover, a discussion containing assessments and remarks on the possible future developments of MOF-derived materials toward efficient electrocatalysis is included.

Prevascularized Micro-/Nano-Sized Spheroid/Bead Aggregates for Vascular Tissue Engineering

“…Chen et al biofabricated in vitro human 3D vascular cancer model where perfusion and microcirculation of tumor cells are tracked and monitored over time through confocal microscopy [ 161 ]. Lim et al have recently reviewed microvascularized aggregates as a various 3D cancer models for drug screening [ 163 ].…”

Additively manufactured nano-mechanical energy harvesting systems: advancements, potential applications, challenges and future perspectives

“…The most frequently used energy sources are wind, solar irradiation [ 41 ], ocean waves, human motion, raindrops [ 15 ], and ambient vibrations. The energy captured by these ambient sources can be transformed into useful form through several energy conversion phenomena such as electromagnetic, piezoelectric, triboelectric [ 42 ], thermoelectric, pyroelectric, and hybrid systems. Various studies have employed 3D printing for the development of structural components [ 25 ] of energy conversion devices such as turbine blades [ 26 ], casings, substrates [ 27 ], piezoelectric materials [ 28 ], solar energy trees, nano-structures for triboelectric nanogenerators, and many others.…”

Carbon Dots: Classification, Properties, Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications in Health Care—An Updated Review (2018–2021)

“…To date, a plethora of nanomaterials such as nano-magnetic beads [1], nanowires [2], nano-molecularly imprinted polymers (nano-MIPs) [3], polymer nanocomposites [4], dendrimers [5], metallic nanoparticles [6], carbon-based nanomaterials [7], and magnetic nanoparticles [8] are being exploited tremendously owing to their marvelous features, and they are efficiently applied in various fields, including photoelectric devices [9], microsuper capacitors [10], solar cells [11], optoelectronics [12], photodynamic therapy [13], photothermal therapy [14], electro-and photo-catalysis [15,16], environmental and food safety [17,18], novel drug delivery systems [19], new drug discovery [20], therapy development [21], theranostics and medical diagnostics [22,23], bioimaging [24], biosensing technology [25], etc. Amidst these nanomaterials, carbon-based nanomaterials are widely studied because of their indisputable prevalence in terms of biocompatibility, non-toxicity, inertness, eco-friendliness, long-term chemical stability, fluorescence properties, high electrical and thermal conductivity, large effective surface area, easy functionalization due to their abundant functional groups, excellent electro-catalytic activity, their ability to readily modify various electrodes during the construction of a wide range of biosensing platforms, etc.…”

“…Figure15. Graphical illustration of the fabrication of an aptamer-based biosensor, involving the use of CDs@CuCo PBA for the detection of EGFR, and EGFR-overexpressed MCF-7 breast cancer cells.…”