Mo-vacancy induced high performance for photocatalytic hydrogen production over MoS2 nanosheets cocatalyst

Defect engineering of two-dimensional materials for advanced energy conversion and storage

In the global trend towards carbon neutrality, sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies are of vital significance to tackle the energy crisis and climate change. However, traditional electrode materials gradually reach their property limits. Two-dimensional (2D) materials featuring large aspect ratios and tunable surface properties exhibit tremendous potential for improving the performance of energy conversion and storage devices. To rationally control the physical and chemical properties for specific applications, defect engineering of 2D materials has been investigated extensively, and is becoming a versatile strategy to promote the electrode reaction kinetics. Simultaneously, exploring the in-depth mechanisms underlying defect action in electrode reactions is crucial to provide profound insight into structure tailoring and property optimization. In this review, we highlight the cutting-edge advances in defect engineering in 2D materials as well as their considerable effects in energy-related applications. Moreover, the confronting challenges and promising directions are discussed for the development of advanced energy conversion and storage systems.

Atomic and structural modifications of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides for various advanced applications

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and their heterostructures have attracted significant interest in both academia and industry because of their unusual physical and chemical properties. They offer numerous applications, such as electronic, optoelectronic, and spintronic devices, in addition to energy storage and conversion. Atomic and structural modifications of van der Waals layered materials are required to achieve unique and versatile properties for advanced applications. This review presents a discussion on the atomic-scale and structural modifications of 2D TMDs and their heterostructures via post-treatment. Atomic-scale modifications such as vacancy generation, substitutional doping, functionalization and repair of 2D TMDs and structural modifications including phase transitions and construction of heterostructures are discussed. Such modifications on the physical and chemical properties of 2D TMDs enable the development of various advanced applications including electronic and optoelectronic devices, sensing, catalysis, nanogenerators, and memory and neuromorphic devices. Finally, the challenges and prospects of various post-treatment techniques and related future advanced applications are addressed.

Nano-flower S-scheme heterojunction NiAl-LDH/MoS2 for enhancing photocatalytic hydrogen production

The construction of heterojunctions can effectively improve the electron transport rate and photocatalytic activity.