Tailoring the Electrocatalytic Properties of sp²‐Hybridized Carbon Nanomaterials with Molecule Doping

Abstract

For electrocatalytic processes, the electronic structure especially the density of states (DOS) of electrode materials plays a dominant role in process of electron transfer kinetics for redox reactions. The unusual electronic properties of sp2‐hybridized carbon nanomaterials with adjustable DOS offer great promise in constructing high performance electrodes for electrochemical applications. However, researchers are still confronted with challenges such as how the electronic properties influence the kinetics of electron transfer and how to modulate the electronic structure appropriate strategy for achieving efficient electrochemical reactions of different sp2 carbon nanomaterials. With the aim of understanding the impacts of electronic structures on electrocatalytic properties, we selected several typical 0D to 3D carbon nanomaterials, and tailored the electrocatalytic performance of carbon nanomaterials by doping electron donor and electron acceptor. The results demonstrate that different molecular doping give rise to entirely different modifications in electronic structure of the sp2‐hybridized carbon nanomaterials, endowing modulation of the electrocatalytic properties for the appropriate redox reaction. When doped with electron acceptor, it is more conducive to the oxidation reaction. Conversely, doping with electron donors is more conducive to the occurrence of reduction reactions. This strategy reveals electronic structure effects on the electron transfer of electrocatalytic redox reaction and provides an efficient approach on tailoring the electrocatalytic performance of sp2‐hybridized carbon nanomaterials. For further electrochemical applications, that can ultimately provide rational guidance toward the development of improved catalysts.

Unlocking Potential: Temperature-Driven Morphology and Electrolyte Influence on Chemical Free Pine Apple Peel-Derived Amorphous Carbon for Enhanced Electrochemical Performance

“…This local order can affect the electronic properties of the material, contributing to its conductivity [18]. As far as electrochemical application is concerned, the presence of sp 2 hybridization is desirable as it can lead to higher electrical conductivity, facilitating the movement of electrons through the material during the charge and discharge processes [19,20]. The very small band cantered at around 2828 𝑐𝑚 −1 can be associated with the symmetric 𝐶 − 𝐻 bands of methylene groups ( −𝐶𝐻 2 − ).…”