Synthesis of Bandgap‐tunable Transition Metal Sulfides through Gas‐phase Cation Exchange‐induced Topological Transformation

Abstract

Oriented synthesis of transition metal sulfides (TMSs) with controlled compositions and crystal structures has long been promising for electronic devices and energy applications. Liquid‐phase cation exchange (LCE) is a well‐studied route by varying the compositions. However, achieving crystal structure selectivity is still a great challenge. Here, we demonstrate gas‐phase cation exchange (GCE), which can induce a specific topological transformation (TT), for the synthesis of versatile TMSs with identified cubic or hexagonal crystal structures. The parallel six‐sided subunit (PSS), a new descriptor, is defined to describe the substitution of cations and the transition of the anion sublattice. Under this principle, the band gap of targeted TMSs can be tailored. Using the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution as an example, the optimal hydrogen evolution rate of a zinc‐cadmium sulfide (ZCS4) is determined to be 11.59 mmol h−1 g−1, showing a 36.2‐fold improvement over CdS.

Reducing the pH dependence of hydrogen evolution kinetics via surface reactivity diversity in medium-entropy alloys

“…1–3 Hydrogen (H 2 ) fuel is widely considered as a big player for sustainable energy. 4–7 Among various hydrogen production approaches, electrocatalytic water splitting is expected to be the most promising candidate for green and large-scale hydrogen production. 8–10 The cost factor is currently the main obstacle limiting the production of hydrogen from electrocatalytic water splitting.…”

Interface Electronic Modulation of Monodispersed Co Metal-Co7Fe3 Alloy Heterostructures for Rechargeable Zn–Air Battery

“…30−32 First, the interface between two phases would result in electronic interactions and modulated electronic structure of the active species. 33,34 The charge transfer can be initiated by the difference in electronic affinity through the interfacial chemical bonding, 35 would improve the intrinsic activity of the catalysts. 20 On the other hand, interface engineering that combines catalysts with complementary activities provides an opportunity to facilitate multielectron reaction processes of oxygen catalysis.…”

“…Engineering of interfaces has been considered as one of the most feasible tactics to improve selectivity, kinetics, and stability of oxygen catalysts. − First, the interface between two phases would result in electronic interactions and modulated electronic structure of the active species. , The charge transfer can be initiated by the difference in electronic affinity through the interfacial chemical bonding, which would improve the intrinsic activity of the catalysts . On the other hand, interface engineering that combines catalysts with complementary activities provides an opportunity to facilitate multielectron reaction processes of oxygen catalysis. , However, for most composites with heterostructures, the interfaces of different phases are randomly distributed, and it is difficult to achieve the maximum synergistic effect.…”

Te-doped-WSe2/W as a stable monolith catalyst for ampere-level current density hydrogen evolution reaction

“…[14][15][16][17][18][19] Considerable efforts are currently being devoted to expediting the development of economically viable and easily accessible catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction. This includes the exploration of transition-metal carbides, [20][21][22] nitrides, 23,24 sulfides, [25][26][27] oxides 28 and phosphides. [29][30][31] Within the category of catalysts that are free of platinum-group metals, transition-metal disulfides (TMDs), such as WS 2 , 32 WSe 2 33 and WTe 2 , 34 have received significant attention and are regarded as promising electrocatalysts for water splitting.…”