Graphdiyne/graphene heterostructure supported NiFe layered double hydroxides for oxygen evolution reaction

Plasma-modified graphitic C3N4@Cobalt hydroxide nanowires as a highly efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

The key to electrocatalytic water splitting is the discovery of efficient, low-cost electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). g-C3N4@Co(OH)2 + PA/X nanowire materials were prepared by a combined strategy of thermo-hydraulic and DBD plasma modification. The morphological structure of the plasma modification for 60 s was then characterised by SEM and TEM patterns. In alkaline media, the g-C3N4@Co(OH)2 catalyst subjected to 60-s plasma treatment had excellent durability and exhibited outstanding electrochemical performance, displaying a low overpotential (329 mV). The number of Co3+ active sites, high conductivity, and large surface area of the g-C3N4@Co(OH)2 + PA/60s catalyst contribute to the remarkable OER activity. This research offers a novel approach to rationally designing effective electrocatalysts for water splitting.

Ultrathin Graphdiyne/Graphene Heterostructure as a Robust Electrochemical Sensing Platform

Graphdiyne (GDY) has been considered as an appealing electrode material for electrochemical sensing because of its alkyne-rich structure and high degrees of π-conjugation, which shows great affinity to heavy metal ions and pollutant molecules via d-π and π-π interactions. However, the low surface area and poor conductivity of bulk GDY limit its electrochemical performance. Herein, a two-dimensional ultrathin GDY/graphene (GDY/G) nanostructure was synthesized and used as an electrode material for electrochemical sensing. Graphene plays the role of an epitaxy template for few-layered GDY growth and conductive layers. The formed few-layered GDY with a high surface area possesses abundant affinity sites toward heavy metal ions (Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺) and toxic molecules, for example, nitrobenzene and 4-nitrophenol, via d-π and π-π interactions, respectively. Moreover, hemin as a key part of the enzyme catalytic motif was immobilized on GDY/G via π-π interactions. The artificial enzyme mimic hemin/GDY/G-modified electrode exhibited promising ascorbic acid and uric acid detection performance with excellent sensitivity and selectivity, a good linear range, and reproducibility. More importantly, real sample detection and the feasibility of this electrochemical sensor as a wearable biosensor were demonstrated.

Graphdiyne Electrochemistry: Progress and Perspectives

Graphdiyne, a carbon allotrope, was synthesized in 2010 for the first time. It consists of two acetylene bonds between adjacent benzene rings. Graphdiyne and its composites thus exhibit ultrahigh intrinsic electrochemical activities. As "star" electrode materials, they have been utilized for various electrochemical applications. With the aim of giving a full screen of graphdiyne electrochemistry, this review starts from the history of graphdiyne materials, followed by their structural and electrochemical features. Recent progress and achievements in the synthesis of graphdiyne materials and their composites are overviewed. Subsequently, various electrochemical applications of graphdiyne materials and their composites are summarized, covering those in the fields of electrochemical energy conversion, electrochemical energy storage, and electrochemical sensing. The perspectives of graphdiyne electrochemistry are also discussed and outlined.