Synthesis of Cobalt Phosphide Nanoparticles Supported on Pristine Graphene by Dynamically Self-Assembled Graphene Quantum Dots for Hydrogen Evolution

A highly active, durable, and low-cost hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst is desirable for energy storage through water splitting but its fabrication presents great challenges. Herein, mediated by dynamically self-assembled graphene quantum dots (GQDs), small, uniform, high-density, and well-dispersed CoP nanoparticles were grown in situ on pristine graphene for the first time. This hybrid nanostructure was then employed as HER electrocatalyst, showing an onset potential of 7 mV, an overpotential of 91.3 mV to achieve 10 mA cm^-2 , a Tafel slope of 42.6 mV dec^-1 , and an exchange current density of 0.1225 mA cm^-2 , all of which compare favorably to those of most reported non-noble-metal catalysts. The developed catalyst also exhibits excellent durability with negligible current loss after 2000 cyclic voltammetry cycles (+0.01 to -0.17 V vs. RHE) or 34 h of chronoamperometric measurement at an overpotential of 91.3 mV. This work not only develops a new strategy for the fabrication of high-performance and inexpensive electrocatalysts for HER but also provides scientific insight into the mechanism of the dynamically self-assembled GQDsmediated synthesis process.

A novel "tunnel-like" cyclopalladated arylimine catalyst immobilized on graphene oxide nano-sheet

A novel "tunnel-like" cyclopalladated arylimine was prepared and immobilized on graphene oxide nano-sheet to form a hybrid catalytic material (denoted as F-GO-Pd) by self-assembly. The F-GO-Pd catalyst was characterized by XRD, FTIR, Raman, XPS, SEM, and TEM. This novel hybrid catalytic material was proven to be an efficient catalyst for the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction of aryl halides (I, Br, Cl) with arylboronic acids in aqueous media under mild conditions with a very low amount of catalyst (0.01 mol%) and a high turnover frequency (TOF) (>20 000 h^-1). In particular, high yields also could be obtained at room temperature with prolonged time. F-GO-Pd also showed good stability and recyclability seven times with a superior catalytic activity. The heterogeneous catalytic mechanism was investigated with kinetic studies, hot filtration tests, catalyst poisoning tests, and in situ FTIR spectroscopy with a ReactIR and the deactivation mechanism of the catalysts was proposed through analysis of its chemical stability by TEM, SEM, Raman, and XRD, indicating that a heterogeneous catalytic process occurred on the surface and the changes of the catalytic activity during the recycling were related to the micro-environment of the catalyst surface.

Synthesis of nitrogen and sulfur co-doped hierarchical porous carbons and metal-free oxidative coupling of silanes with alcohols

Hierarchically porous N and S co-doped carbon was used as an efficient and robust metal-free catalyst for oxidative coupling of silanes with alcohols.

Polystyrene supported palladium nanoparticles catalyzed cinnamic acid synthesis using maleic anhydride as a substitute for acrylic acid

Maleic anhydride as a substitute for acrylic acid for cinnamic acid synthesis was explored elaborating the combined role of the support and the catalyst.

Recent advances in organic reactions catalyzed by graphene oxide and sulfonated graphene as heterogeneous nanocatalysts: a review

Over the past decade, the application of carbocatalyst systems has been preferred over that of homogeneous catalytic systems because of their advantages such as physical and thermal stability of the catalysts in successive reaction runs and reusability.

Two-dimensional graphene-directed formation of cylindrical iron carbide nanocapsules for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

Cylindrical Hägg carbide nanocapsules with a single (510) crystal facet were formed during the FTS reaction with the assistance of GO, which show excellent activity and selectivity for olefins.

Highly efficient visible-light-driven plasmonic photocatalysts based on graphene oxide mediated hybridization of graphite and Ag/AgBr

Graphite (Gr) has been facilely hybridized with Ag/AgBr under the assistance of graphene oxide (GO). The as-produced Gr/GO/Ag/AgBr displays substantially boosted photocatalytic performances compared to Ag/AgBr, GO/Ag/AgBr, and Gr/Ag/AgBr.

Nitrogen-doped porous carbon material derived from metal–organic gel for small biomolecular sensing

A template strategy for fabricating N-doped porous carbon derived from MOG is demonstrated as a matrix for sensing small biomolecules.

Catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol over Ni-Pd nanodimers supported on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide

Catalytic reduction of toxic 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol over magnetically recoverable nanocatalysts has attracted much attention. Herein, we report a Ni-Pd/NrGO catalyst through the growth of Ni-Pd nanodimers (NDs) on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (NrGO). The Ni-Pd NDs show a heterogeneous nanostructure with Ni and Pd subparts contacting with each other, remarkably different from the frequently-observed core/shell nanoparticles (NPs) or nanoalloy. The formation of Ni-Pd NDs follows an initial deposition of Pd NPs on the graphene and in-situ catalytic generation of Ni subparts over the newly-generated Pd NPs. The resulting Ni-Pd/NrGO exhibits a superior catalytic activity towards the reduction of 4-nitrophenol at room temperature with a high rate constant (3400s^-1g^-1) and a low activated energy (29.1kJmol^-1) as compared to unsupported Ni-Pd NDs and supported monometallic catalysts. The conversion rate of 4-NP is calculated to be 99.5% and the percent yield (%) of 4-AP is as high as 99.1%. A synergistic catalysis mechanism is rationally proposed, which is ascribed to the electronic modification of Ni-Pd metals due to the strong metal/support interaction (SMSI) effect as well as the electron transfer between Ni and Pd. The hybrid catalyst shows soft ferromagnetic properties and can be magnetically separated and recycled without obvious loss of activity.

High-Resolution Characterization of Preferential Gas Adsorption at the Graphene-Water Interface

The contact of water with graphene is of fundamental importance and of great interest for numerous promising applications, but how graphene interacts with water remains unclear. Here we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to investigate hydrophilic mica substrates with some regions covered by mechanically exfoliated graphene layers in water. In water containing air gas close to the saturation concentration (within ∼40%), cap-shaped nanostructures (or interfacial nanobubbles) and ordered-stripe domains were observed on graphene-covered regions but not on pure mica regions. These structures did not appear on graphene when samples were immersed in highly degassed water, indicating that their formation was caused by the adsorption of gas dissolved in water. Thus, atomically thin graphene, even at a narrow width of 20 nm, changes the local surface chemistry of a highly hydrophilic substrate. Furthermore, surface hydrophobicity significantly affects gas adsorption, which has broad implications for diverse phenomena in water.

Interactions of graphene with mammalian cells: Molecular mechanisms and biomedical insights

Carbon-based functional nanomaterials have attracted immense scientific interest from many disciplines and, due to their extraordinary properties, have offered tremendous potential in a diverse range of applications. Among the different carbon nanomaterials, graphene is one of the newest and is considered the most important. Graphene, a monolayer material composed of sp²-hybridized carbon atoms hexagonally arranged in a two-dimensional structure, can be easily functionalized by chemical modification. Functionalized graphene and its derivatives have been used in diverse nano-biotechnological applications, such as in environmental engineering, biomedicine, and biotechnology. However, the prospective use of graphene-related materials in a biological context requires a detailed comprehension of these materials, which is essential for expanding their biomedical applications in the future. In recent years, the number of biological studies involving graphene-related nanomaterials has rapidly increased. These studies have documented the effects of the biological interactions between graphene-related materials and different organizational levels of living systems, ranging from biomolecules to animals. In the present review, we will summarize the recent progress in understanding mainly the interactions between graphene and cells. The impact of graphene on intracellular components, and especially the uptake and transport of graphene by cells, will be discussed in detail.

Biomolecule-assisted exfoliation and dispersion of graphene and other two-dimensional materials: a review of recent progress and applications

Direct liquid-phase exfoliation of layered materials by means of ultrasound, shear forces or electrochemical intercalation holds enormous promise as a convenient, cost-effective approach to the mass production of two-dimensional (2D) materials, particularly in the form of colloidal suspensions of high quality and micrometer- and submicrometer-sized flakes. Of special relevance due to environmental and practical reasons is the production of 2D materials in aqueous medium, which generally requires the use of certain additives (surfactants and other types of dispersants) to assist in the exfoliation and colloidal stabilization processes. In this context, biomolecules have received, in recent years, increasing attention as dispersants for 2D materials, as they provide a number of advantages over more conventional, synthetic surfactants. Here, we review research progress in the use of biomolecules as exfoliating and dispersing agents for the production of 2D materials. Although most efforts in this area have focused on graphene, significant advances have also been reported with transition metal dichalcogenides (MoS2, WS2, etc.) or hexagonal boron nitride. Particular emphasis is placed on the specific merits of different types of biomolecules, including proteins and peptides, nucleotides and nucleic acids (RNA, DNA), polysaccharides, plant extracts and bile salts, on their role as efficient colloidal dispersants of 2D materials, as well as on the potential applications that have been explored for such biomolecule-exfoliated materials. These applications are wide-ranging and encompass the fields of biomedicine (photothermal and photodynamic therapy, bioimaging, biosensing, etc.), energy storage (Li- and Na-ion batteries), catalysis (e.g., catalyst supports for the oxygen reduction reaction or electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction), or composite materials. As an incipient area of research, a number of knowledge gaps, unresolved issues and novel future directions remain to be addressed for biomolecule-exfoliated 2D materials, which will be discussed in the last part of this review.

Cellular graphene aerogel combines ultralow weight and high mechanical strength: A highly efficient reactor for catalytic hydrogenation

The construction of three-dimensional graphene aerogels (GAs) is of great importance owing to their outstanding properties for various applications. Up to now, the combination of ultralow weight and super mechanical strength for GA remains a great challenge. Here we demonstrate the fabrication of cellular GAs by a facile, easily controlled and versatile route, i.e. the chemical reduction of graphene oxide assemblies at oil-water interface under a mild condition (70 °C). The GA is ultralight (with density <3 mg cm(-3)) yet mechanically resilient because the walls of the cell closely pack in a highly ordered manner to maximize mechanical strength. The GA has been utilized as an appealing reactor for catalytic hydrogenation, which exhibited great advantages such as large oil absorption capability, exceptional catalytic activity, ease of product separation and high stability.

Graphene/graphene oxide and their derivatives in the separation/isolation and preconcentration of protein species: A review

The distinctive/unique electrical, chemical and optical properties make graphene/graphene oxide-based materials popular in the field of analytical chemistry. Its large surface offers excellent capacity to anchor target analyte, making it an powerful sorbent in the adsorption and preconcentration of trace level analyte of interest in the field of sample preparation. The large delocalized π-electron system of graphene framework provides strong affinity to species containing aromatic rings, such as proteins, and the abundant active sites on its surface offers the chance to modulate adsorption tendency towards specific protein via functional modification/decoration. This review provides an overview of the current research on graphene/graphene oxide-based materials as attractive and powerful adsorption media in the separation/isolation and preconcentration of protein species from biological sample matrixes. These practices are aiming at providing protein sample of high purity for further investigations and applications, or to achieve certain extent of enrichment prior to quantitative assay. In addition, the challenges and future perspectives in the related research fields have been discussed.

Pseudo-Jahn-Teller Distortion in Two-Dimensional Phosphorus: Origin of Black and Blue Phases of Phosphorene and Band Gap Modulation by Molecular Charge Transfer

Phosphorene (Pn) is stabilized as a layered material like graphite, yet it possess a natural direct band gap (Eg = 2.0 eV). Interestingly, unlike graphene, Pn exhibits a much richer phase diagram which includes distorted forms like the stapler-clip (black Pn, α form) and chairlike (blue Pn, β form) structures. The existence of these phases is attributed to pseudo-Jahn-Teller (PJT) instability of planar hexagonal P6(6-) rings. In both cases, the condition for vibronic instability of the planar P6(6-) rings is satisfied. Doping with electron donors like tetrathiafulvalene and tetraamino-tetrathiafulvalene and electron acceptors like tetracyanoquinodimethane and tetracyanoethylene convert blue Pn into N-type and black Pn into efficient P-type semiconductors, respectively. Interestingly, pristine blue Pn, an indirect gap semiconductor, gets converted into a direct gap semiconductor on electron or hole doping. Because of comparatively smaller undulation in blue Pn (with respect to black Pn), the van der Waals interactions between the dopants and blue Pn is stronger. PJT distortions for two-dimensional phosphorus provides a unified understanding of structural features and chemical reactivity in its different phases.

P-Doped Porous Carbon as Metal Free Catalysts for Selective Aerobic Oxidation with an Unexpected Mechanism

An extremely simple and rapid (seconds) approach is reported to directly synthesize gram quantities of P-doped graphitic porous carbon materials with controlled P bond configuration. For the first time, it is demonstrated that the P-doped carbon materials can be used as a selective metal free catalyst for aerobic oxidation reactions. The work function of P-doped carbon materials, its connectivity to the P bond configuration, and the correlation with its catalytic efficiency are studied and established. In direct contrast to N-doped graphene, the P-doped carbon materials with higher work function show high activity in catalytic aerobic oxidation. The selectivity trend for the electron donating and withdrawing properties of the functional groups attached to the aromatic ring of benzyl alcohols is also different from other metal free carbon based catalysts. A unique catalytic mechanism is demonstrated, which differs from both GO and N-doped graphene obtained by high temperature nitrification. The unique and unexpected catalytic pathway endows the P-doped materials with not only good catalytic efficiency but also recyclability. This, combined with a rapid, energy saving approach that permits fabrication on a large scale, suggests that the P-doped porous materials are promising materials for "green catalysis" due to their higher theoretical surface area, sustainability, environmental friendliness, and low cost.

Doped and undoped graphene platforms: the influence of structural properties on the detection of polyphenols

There is a huge interest in doped graphene and how doping can tune the material properties for the specific application. It was recently demonstrated that the effect of doping can have different influence on the electrochemical detection of electroactive probes, depending on the analysed probe, on the structural characteristics of the graphene materials and on the type and amount of heteroatom used for the doping. In this work we wanted to investigate the effect of doping on graphene materials used as platform for the detection of catechin, a standard probe which is commonly used for the measurement of polyphenols in food and beverages. To this aim we compared undoped graphene with boron-doped graphene and nitrogen doped graphene platforms for the electrochemical detection of standard catechin oxidation. Finally, the material providing the best electrochemical performance was employed for the analysis of real samples. We found that the undoped graphene, possessing lower amount of oxygen functionalities, higher density of defects and larger electroactive surface area provided the best electroanalytical performance for the determination of catechin in commercial beer samples. Our findings are important for the development of novel graphene platforms for the electrochemical assessment of food quality.

Pd nanoparticles deposited on Isoniazid grafted multi walled carbon nanotubes: synthesis, characterization and application for Suzuki reaction in aqueous media

The prepared Isoniazide-MWCNTs were used to deposition of Pd NPs as novel nanocatalyst. The catalyst showed high activity in Suzuki coupling reaction of aryl halides (X = I, Br, Cl).

meso-Tetrakis[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]porphyrinatopalladium(ii) supported on graphene oxide nanosheets (Pd(ii)-TMCPP-GO): synthesis and catalytic activity

In this study, meso-tetrakis[4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]porphynatopalladium(ii) as a macrocyclic palladium complex was covalently grafted to the surface of graphene oxide (Pd-TMCPP-GO). The prepared catalyst was checked in Suzuki reaction.

Pyridine derivative/graphene nanoribbon composites as molecularly tunable heterogeneous electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction

In this study, a strategy to design a new class of metal-free electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was proposed by means of density functional theory (DFT) computations.

Amorphous NiB/carbon nanohybrids: synthesis and catalytic enhancement induced by electron transfer

Amorphous NiB/C shows synergistic catalysis for 4-nitrophenol reduction, induced by the electron transfer from NiB alloy to carbon support.

Immobilized Pd(0) nanoparticles on phosphine-functionalized graphene as a highly active catalyst for Heck, Suzuki and N-arylation reactions

Phosphine functionalized graphene was used for the immobilization of Pd nanoparticles and utilized in C–C and C–N bond formation reactions.

Pd-Supported on N-doped carbon: improved heterogeneous catalyst for base-free alkoxycarbonylation of aryl iodides

Novel Pd-based heterogeneous catalysts were prepared through immobilization of Pd(OAc)₂/phenanthroline on carbon and subsequent pyrolysis.

Synthesis of bifunctional reduced graphene oxide/CuS/Au composite nanosheets for in situ monitoring of a peroxidase-like catalytic reaction by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

In this work, we have demonstrated the synthesis of bifunctional reduced graphene oxide/CuS/Au composite nanosheets for in situ monitoring of peroxidase-like catalytic reaction by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Unique Reactivity of Transition Metal Atoms Embedded in Graphene to CO, NO, O₂ and O Adsorption: A First-Principles Investigation

Taking the adsorption of CO, NO, O₂ and O as probes, we investigated the electronic structure of transition metal atoms (TM, TM = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn) embedded in graphene by first-principles-based calculations. We showed that these TM atoms can be effectively stabilized on monovacancy defects on graphene by forming plausible interactions with the C atoms associated with dangling bonds. These interactions not only give rise to high energy barriers for the diffusion and aggregation of the embedded TM atoms to withstand the interference of reaction environments, but also shift the energy levels of TM-d states and regulate the reactivity of the embedded TM atoms. The adsorption of CO, NO, O₂ and O correlates well with the weight averaged energy level of TM-d states, showing the crucial role of interfacial TM-C interactions on manipulating the reactivity of embedded TM atoms. These findings pave the way for the developments of effective monodispersed atomic TM composites with high stability and desired performance for gas sensing and catalytic applications.

Cerium Oxide Nanoclusters on Graphene/Ru(0001): Intercalation of Oxygen via Spillover

Cerium oxide is an important catalytic material known for its ability to store and release oxygen, and as such, it has been used in a range of applications, both as an active catalyst and as a catalyst support. Using scanning tunneling microscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy, we investigated oxygen interactions with CeOx nanoclusters on a complete graphene monolayer-covered Ru(0001) surface at elevated temperatures (600-725 K). Under oxidizing conditions (PO2 = 1 × 10(-7) Torr), oxygen intercalation under the graphene layer is observed. Time dependent studies demonstrate that the intercalation proceeds via spillover of oxygen from CeOx nanoclusters through the graphene (Gr) layer onto the Ru(0001) substrate and extends until the Gr layer is completely intercalated. Atomically resolved images further show that oxygen forms a p(2 × 1) structure underneath the Gr monolayer. Temperature dependent studies yield an apparent kinetic barrier for the intercalation of 1.21 eV. This value correlates well with the theoretically determined value for the reduction of small CeO2 clusters reported previously. At higher temperatures, the intercalation is followed by a slower etching of the intercalated graphene (apparent barrier of 1.60 eV). Vacuum annealing of the intercalated Gr leads to the formation of carbon monoxide, causing etching of the graphene film, demonstrating that the spillover of oxygen is not reversible. In agreement with previous studies, no intercalation is observed on a complete graphene monolayer without CeOx clusters, even in the presence of a large number of point defects. These studies demonstrate that the easily reducible CeOx clusters act as intercalation gateways capable of efficiently delivering oxygen underneath the graphene layer.

The atomic and electronic structure of nitrogen- and boron-doped phosphorene

First principles modeling of nitrogen- and boron-doped phosphorene demonstrates the tendency toward the formation of highly ordered anisotropic structures.

An introduction to the chemistry of graphene

This perspective outlines the chemistry of graphene, including functionalization, doping, photochemistry, catalytic chemistry and supramolecular chemistry.

Fabrication of nanoscale heterostructures comprised of graphene-encapsulated gold nanoparticles and semiconducting quantum dots for photocatalysis

Patterned growth of multilayer graphene shell encapsulated gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and their covalent linking with inorganic quantum dots are demonstrated.