Three‐Dimensional Graphene‐Based Macrostructures for Electrocatalysis

Abstract

Electrochemical energy storage and conversion is an effective strategy to relieve the increasing energy and environment crisis. The sluggish reaction kinetics in the related devices is one of the major obstacles for them to realize practical applications. More efforts should be devoted to searching for high‐efficiency electrocatalysts and enhancing the electrocatalytic performance. 3D graphene macrostructures (3D GMs) are one kind of porous crystalline materials with 3D structures at both micro‐ and macro‐scale. The unique structure can achieve large accessible surface area, expose many active sites, promote fast mass/electron transport, and provide wide room for further functional modification. All these features make them promising candidates for electrocatalysis. In this review, the authors focus on the latest progress of 3D GMs for electrocatalysis. First, the preparation methods of 3D GMs are introduced followed by the strategies for functional modifications. Then, their electrocatalytic performances are discussed in detail including monofunctional and bifunctional electrocatalysis. The electrocatalytic processes involve oxygen reduction reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, and carbon dioxide reduction reaction. Finally, the challenges and perspectives are presented to offer a guideline for the exploration of excellent 3D GM‐based electrocatalysts.

Charge transfer of carbon nanomaterials for efficient metal‐free electrocatalysis

“…Since its discovery in 2009, [34] therefore, heteroatom(s) doping of graphitic carbon lattices has been widely performed to activate graphitic carbon materials for catalytic applications. [1][2][3][33][34][35][36][37][38] In general, the ultimate electrochemical and catalytic performance of heteroatom-doped carbon nanomaterials depends strongly on the relative charge transfer or separation at the doped sites, which is also greatly influenced by their synthesis and heteroatom doping methods. Owing to the considerable difference in electronegativity between N (3.0) and C (2.5) atoms and their similar sizes with a minimized structural distortion upon doping, N-doped carbon materials have been demonstrated to be efficient for numerous electrocatalytic reactions.…”

3D Continuously Porous Graphene for Energy Applications

“…After the years of development, the sterically continuous nanoporous graphene has arisen as a unique category of 3D graphene materials and received increasing attention for applications in energy conversion and storage, transistors, photodetectors, plasmonics, electromagnetic interference shielding, etc. [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] Although 3D graphene has been widely reviewed by many articles from various aspects in the last decade, [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54] there are few articles devoted to 3D continuously porous graphene, despite the fact that it is a distinct class of 3D graphene with numerous unique and extraordinary properties. Herein, we aim to provide a comprehensive review of 3D continuously porous graphene and its applications in energy conversion and storage.…”

“…Although 3D graphene has been widely reviewed by many articles from various aspects in the last decade, [ 9–17,38–54 ] there are few articles devoted to 3D continuously porous graphene, despite the fact that it is a distinct class of 3D graphene with numerous unique and extraordinary properties. Herein, we aim to provide a comprehensive review of 3D continuously porous graphene and its applications in energy conversion and storage.…”

MOF-Derived Co and Fe Species Loaded on N-Doped Carbon Networks as Efficient Oxygen Electrocatalysts for Zn-Air Batteries

“…For the demand of carbon neutrality, developing sustainable energy storage and conversion technologies is essential [1][2][3][4][5]. Rechargeable Zn-air batteries have attracted much interest due to their ultrahigh theoretical energy density, safety and low cost [6][7][8].…”