Strain engineering of two-dimensional materials for energy storage and conversion applications

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have garnered much interest due to their exceptional optical, electrical, and mechanical properties. Strain engineering, as a crucial approach to modulate the physicochemical characteristics of 2D materials, has been widely used in various fields, especially for energy storage and conversion. Herein, the recent progress in strain engineering of 2D materials is summarized for energy storage and conversion applications. The fundamental understanding of strain in 2D materials is first described. Then, some synthetic methods for modulating the properties of 2D materials via strain engineering are introduced. Further, the applications of strain engineering of 2D materials in energy storage, photocatalysis, and electrocatalysis are discussed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives on strain engineering of 2D materials are also outlined.

Microwave-pulse assisted synthesis of tunable ternary-doped 2D molybdenum carbide for efficient hydrogen evolution

“…The widespread application of traditional high-activity Pt-group metal-based electrocatalysts is severely constrained by their high cost and low reserves [4] . Recently, non-precious metal two-dimensional (2D) layered transition metal carbides (TMCs), known as MXenes (M n+1 X n T x :M = early transition metal; X = C or N; T x = surface termination), and their derivatives have been considered promising HER catalysts [5,6] . Especially 2D molybdenum carbide (2D Mo 2 C), with its high-density electronic states on the Fermi level d orbitals akin to Pt, can effectively enhance excellent intrinsic catalytic activity, while the 2D structure also exposes abundant active sites and facilitates rapid ion transport [7,8] .…”