Two‐Dimensional Silicon for (Photo)Catalysis

Abstract

Two‐dimensional materials (2D M) possess unique structural, optical, and electronic properties in comparison with their bulk counterparts. Therefore, they have been demonstrated to be excellent performers for catalysis (especially photocatalysis). Among these 2D catalytic materials, 2D silicon (2D Si) is an emerging subclass, gifted with Si's high abundance, low toxicity, and strong light‐harvesting ability. Endowed with the universal advantages of 2D M including a large surface area, prolific active sites and loading positions for other elements, and ultrathin thickness for the generation of defects and transportation of photogenerated carriers, 2D Si exhibits additionally distinct surface chemistry and metal‐support interactions through geometrical assembly. These features render 2D Si a competitive candidate for (photo)catalysis, drawing burgeoning interest recently.

Photovoltaic Materials as Heterogeneous Photocatalysts: A Golden Opportunity for Sustainable Organic Syntheses

“…[ 29 ] However, despite all the advantages in terms of photovoltaic conversion, photopassivation of the surface hinders the direct exploitation of the “naked” Si surface. Accordingly, some alternatives have been proposed to circumvent this drawback: [ 30 ] for instance, 1) superficial pretreatments such as hydrosilylation and alkyl‐/H‐capping, 2) coating with other photoactive materials, and 3) adoption of more stable Si‐based semiconductors such as SiC.…”

High surface area siloxene for photothermal and electrochemical catalysis

“…1 Abundant surface active sites, enhanced charge transfer, and the ability to confine metals between the layers have triggered new opportunities for 2D materials-based catalysis, especially in the field of conversion of small energy-related molecules like CO 2 , H 2 O, O 2 , CO, etc. [1][2][3][4][5] Among the rising stars of 2D catalytic materials, 2D silicon has recently attracted considerable interest for heterogeneous catalysis, 6 owing to the high Earth abundance and low toxicity of silicon, as well as some additional features beyond the common advantages of 2D materials.…”

Interface-Enhanced SiOx/Ru Heterocatalysts for Efficient Electrochemical Water Splitting

“…Carbonaceous matrices such as G N , MHC, and C 2 N have been reported for designing Ru-based electrocatalysts due to their excellent properties, and they have exhibited excellent activities and stabilities. − Silica (SiO 2 ) has attracted our attention because of its abundant reserves and low cost. Coordinately unsaturated Si atoms tend to adsorb with H 2 O and hydroxyl groups in solution to form a stable tetrahedral coordination. , In the thermocatalytic reactions, SiO 2 is usually used as the support to balance the adsorption of intermediates in the reaction. , Therefore, Ru and SiO 2 can be combined to construct a heterojunction, and the strong electronic interaction between the metal and oxide can effectively balance the adsorption and dissociation of reaction intermediates on the surface. , However, the insulating properties of SiO 2 can seriously affect the charge transfer of catalysts, making it difficult to apply in electrocatalytic reactions. , Therefore, how to balance the adsorption capacity with the intermediates while ensuring the conductivity of the catalyst is a problem worth solving.…”

“…Coordinately unsaturated Si atoms tend to adsorb with H 2 O and hydroxyl groups in solution to form a stable tetrahedral coordination. 17,18 In the thermocatalytic reactions, SiO 2 is usually used as the support to balance the adsorption of intermediates in the reaction. 19,20 Therefore, Ru and SiO 2 can be combined to construct a heterojunction, and the strong electronic interaction between the metal and oxide can effectively balance the adsorption and dissociation of reaction intermediates on the surface.…”