Single and Multiple Doping in Graphene Quantum Dots: Unraveling the Origin of Selectivity in the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Photocatalytic degradation of indigo carmine dye by hydrothermally synthesized graphene nanodots (GNDs): investigation of kinetics and thermodynamics

Graphene nano dots (GNDs) are an intriguing emerging class of materials at the nano scale with distinctive characteristics and exciting potential applications. Graphene oxide was synthesized in a lab setting using a modified version of Hummers' approach and used as a precursor for synthesis of graphene nano dots. Graphene oxide is then treated through hydrothermal treatment to produce GNDs with exact control over their size and form. Synthesized graphene nano dots were subjected to various instruments to study morphology, crystallinity, size and other properties. UV-visible spectroscopy was used to detect the maximum absorbance of light. For functional group identification, FTIR analysis was conducted. X-ray diffraction analysis explained structural composition and various other parameters i.e., crystal size and diameter, which was further verified by Vesta software. Surface morphology of GNDs was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. AFM analysis of GNDs demonstrates the topography of the surface. The photo degradation of the indigo carmine dye by the GNDs also demonstrates their superiority as UV-visible light driven photo catalysts. To evaluate the results, the thermodynamics and kinetics of the degradation reactions are examined. The effects of several factors, such as temperature, initial concentration, time, pH and catalyst concentration, are also investigated. The data will be analyzed statistically by regression and correlation analysis using dependent and independent variables, regression coefficient and other statistical techniques.

Biomedical applications of graphene-based nanomaterials: recent progress, challenges, and prospects in highly sensitive biosensors

Graphene-based nanomaterials (graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene quantum dots, graphene-based nanocomposites, etc.) are emerging as an extremely important class of nanomaterials primarily because of their unique and advantageous physical, chemical, biological, and optoelectronic aspects. These features have resulted in uses across diverse areas of scientific research. Among all other applications, they are found to be particularly useful in designing highly sensitive biosensors. Numerous studies have established their efficacy in sensing pathogens and other biomolecules allowing for the rapid diagnosis of various diseases. Considering the growing importance and popularity of graphene-based materials for biosensing applications, this review aims to provide the readers with a summary of the recent progress in the concerned domain and highlights the challenges associated with the synthesis and application of these multifunctional materials.

Graphene quantum dots for biosensing and bioimaging

Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs) are low dimensional carbon based materials with interesting physical, chemical and biological properties that enable their applications in numerous fields. GQDs possess unique electronic structures that impart special functional attributes such as tunable optical/electrical properties in addition to heteroatom-doping and more importantly a propensity for surface functionalization for applications in biosensing and bioimaging. Herein, we review the recent advancements in the top-down and bottom-up approaches for the synthesis of GQDs. Following this, we present a detailed review of the various surface properties of GQDs and their applications in bioimaging and biosensing. GQDs have been used for fluorescence imaging for visualizing tumours and monitoring the therapeutic responses in addition to magnetic resonance imaging applications. Similarly, the photoluminescence based biosensing applications of GQDs for the detection of hydrogen peroxide, micro RNA, DNA, horse radish peroxidase, heavy metal ions, negatively charged ions, cardiac troponin, etc. are discussed in this review. Finally, we conclude the review with a discussion on future prospects.

From Pristine to Heteroatom-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots: An Essential Review and Prospects for Future Research

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are carbon-based zero-dimensional materials that have received considerable scientific interest due to their exceptional optical, electrical, and optoelectrical properties. Their unique electronic band structures, influenced by quantum confinement and edge effects, differentiate the physical and optical characteristics of GQDs from other carbon nanostructures. Additionally, GQDs can be synthesized using various top-down and bottom-up approaches, distinguishing them from other carbon nanomaterials. This review discusses recent advancements in GQD research, focusing on their synthesis and functionalization for potential applications. Particularly, various methods for synthesizing functionalized GQDs using different doping routes are comprehensively reviewed. Based on previous reports, current challenges and future directions for GQDs research are discussed in detail herein.

Electrosynthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide through Selective Oxygen Reduction: A Carbon Innovation from Active Site Engineering to Device Design

Electrochemical synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) through the selective oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) offers a promising alternative to the energy-intensive anthraquinone method, while its success relies largely on the development of efficient electrocatalyst. Currently, carbon-based materials (CMs) are the most widely studied electrocatalysts for electrosynthesis of H2 O2 via ORR due to their low cost, earth abundance, and tunable catalytic properties. To achieve a high 2e- ORR selectivity, great progress is made in promoting the performance of carbon-based electrocatalysts and unveiling their underlying catalytic mechanisms. Here, a comprehensive review in the field is presented by summarizing the recent advances in CMs for H2 O2 production, focusing on the design, fabrication, and mechanism investigations over the catalytic active moieties, where an enhancement effect of defect engineering or heteroatom doping on H2 O2 selectivity is discussed thoroughly. Particularly, the influence of functional groups on CMs for a 2e- -pathway is highlighted. Further, for commercial perspectives, the significance of reactor design for decentralized H2 O2 production is emphasized, bridging the gap between intrinsic catalytic properties and apparent productivity in electrochemical devices. Finally, major challenges and opportunities for the practical electrosynthesis of H2 O2 and future research directions are proposed.

Computational study on persulfate activation by two-dimensional carbon materials with various nitrogen proportions for carbamazepine oxidation in wastewater: The essential role of graphitic N atoms

Two-dimensional carbon materials with various N atom proportions (2D-CNMs) are constructed to clarify the optimal catalyst for carbamazepine (CBZ) oxidation and the inner mechanism for persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (P-AOPs). Results show that peroxydisulfate (PDS) can be activated by all 2D-CNMs with the order of C₃N > C₇₁N > graphene > C₂N > CN, while C₃N is the only catalyst for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. The C₃N with the maximum graphitic N can activate PDS and PMS in a wide temperature range at any pH, and demonstrates the optimal CBZ oxidation performance. Notably, the graphitic N atoms promote P-AOPs from five aspects: (i) electron structure, (ii) electrical conductivity, (iii) electron transfer from persulfate to catalysts, (iv) electron jump of co-system before and after activation, (v) interaction between catalyst and persulfate. The most vigorous activity of C₃N is attributed to the greatest number of graphitic N. This work clarifies the essential role of graphitic N atoms with implications for the catalyst design, and facilitates the environmental applications of P-AOPs for micropollutant abatement.

Carbon-based nanostructures for cancer therapy and drug delivery applications

Synthesis, design, characterization, and application of carbon-based nanostructures (CBNSs) as drug carriers have attracted a great deal of interest over the past half of the century because of their promising chemical, thermal, physical, optical, mechanical, and electrical properties and their structural diversity. CBNSs are well-known in drug delivery applications due to their unique features such as easy cellular uptake, high drug loading ability, and thermal ablation. CBNSs, including carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, nanodiamond, graphene, and carbon quantum dots have been quite broadly examined for drug delivery systems. This review not only summarizes the most recent studies on developing carbon-based nanostructures for drug delivery (e.g. delivery carrier, cancer therapy and bioimaging), but also tries to deal with the challenges and opportunities resulting from the expansion in use of these materials in the realm of drug delivery. This class of nanomaterials requires advanced techniques for synthesis and surface modifications, yet a lot of critical questions such as their toxicity, biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, and fate of CBNSs in biological systems must be answered.

H2O2 production at gas-diffusion cathodes made from agarose-derived carbons with different textural properties for acebutolol degradation in chloride media

The excessive cost, unsustainability or complex production of new highly selective electrocatalysts for H₂O₂ production, especially noble-metal-based ones, is prohibitive in the water treatment sector. To solve this conundrum, biomass-derived carbons with adequate textural properties were synthesized via agarose double-step pyrolysis followed by steam activation. A longer steam treatment enhanced the graphitization and porosity, even surpassing commercial carbon black. Steam treatment for 20 min yielded the greatest surface area (1248 m² g^-1), enhanced the mesopore/micropore volume distribution and increased the activity (E_1/2 = 0.609 V) and yield of H₂O₂ (40%) as determined by RRDE. The upgraded textural properties had very positive impact on the ability of the corresponding gas-diffusion electrodes (GDEs) to accumulate H₂O₂, reaching Faradaic current efficiencies of ~95% at 30 min. Acidic solutions of β-blocker acebutolol were treated by photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) process in synthetic media with and without chloride. In urban wastewater, total drug disappearance was reached at 60 min with almost 50% mineralization after 360 min at only 10 mA cm^-2. Up to 14 degradation products were identified in the Cl^--containing medium.

Activity origin of boron doped carbon cluster for thermal catalytic oxidation: Coupling effects of dopants and edges

Catalytic oxidation plays important roles in energy conversion and environment protection. Boron-doped crystalline carbocatalyst has been demonstrated effective; however, the application potential of boron-doped amorphous carbocatalyst remains to be explored. For amorphous carbon material, finite-sized carbon clusters are the basic structural units, which exhibit unique activity due to edge and size effect. Herein, using sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation as probe thermal-catalysis reactions, we found the distribution and reactivity of active sites in boron-doped carbon clusters are simultaneously determined by dopants and edges. According to comparisons of oxygen (O₂) chemisorption energy at different sites of symmetric and non-symmetric carbon cluster, the most active site is found to be the edge carbon atom with high electron donation ability, which can be accurately identified by electrophilic Fukui function. More importantly, the reactivity of boron-doped cluster is simultaneously influenced by doping configuration and the type of edge, based on which -O-B-O- configuration embedded into K-region edge (isolated carbon-carbon double bonds that do not belong to Clar sextet) is predicted to exhibit the highest reactivity among various boron doping configurations. This work clarifies unique activity origin of heteroatom-doped amorphous carbon materials, providing new insights into designing high-performance carbocatalysts.

Carbon-Based Electrocatalysts for Efficient Hydrogen Peroxide Production

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ) is an environment-friendly and efficient oxidant with a wide range of applications in different industries. Recently, the production of hydrogen peroxide through direct electrosynthesis has attracted widespread research attention, and has emerged as the most promising method to replace the traditional energy-intensive multi-step anthraquinone process. In ongoing efforts to achieve highly efficient large-scale electrosynthesis of H₂ O₂ , carbon-based materials have been developed as 2e^- oxygen reduction reaction catalysts, with the benefits of low cost, abundant availability, and optimal performance. This review comprehensively introduces the strategies for optimizing carbon-based materials toward H₂ O₂ production, and the latest advances in carbon-based hybrid catalysts. The active sites of the carbon-based materials and the influence of coordination heteroatom doping on the selectivity of H₂ O₂ are extensively analyzed. In particular, the appropriate design of functional groups and understanding the effect of the electrolyte pH are expected to further improve the selective efficiency of producing H₂ O₂ via the oxygen reduction reaction. Methods for improving catalytic activity by interface engineering and reaction kinetics are summarized. Finally, the challenges carbon-based catalysts face before they can be employed for commercial-scale H₂ O₂ production are identified, and prospects for designing novel electrochemical reactors are proposed.

A Tribute to Professor Gaetano Granozzi and His Contributions to Surface Science on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday

On the occasion of his 70th birthday, we celebrate the career of our Editor-in-Chief, Professor Gaetano Granozzi [...]

Progress of carbon-based electrocatalysts for flexible zinc-air batteries in the past 5 years: recent strategies for design, synthesis and performance optimization

The increasing popularity of wearable electronic devices has led to the rapid development of flexible energy conversion systems. Flexible rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs) with high theoretical energy densities demonstrate significant potential as next-generation flexible energy devices that can be applied in wearable electronic products. The design of highly efficient and air-stable cathodes that can electrochemically catalyze both the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are highly desirable but challenging. Flexible carbon-based catalysts for ORR/OER catalysis can be broadly categorized into two types: (i) self-supporting catalysts based on the in situ modification of flexible substrates; (ii) non-self-supporting catalysts based on surface coatings of flexible substrates. Methods used to optimize the catalytic performance include doping with atoms and regulation of the electronic structure and coordination environment. This review summarizes the most recently proposed strategies for the synthesis of designer carbon-based electrocatalysts and the optimization of their electrocatalytic performances in air electrodes. And we significantly focus on the analysis of the inherent active sites and their electrocatalytic mechanisms when applied as flexible ZABs catalysts. The findings of this review can assist in the design of more valuable carbon-based air electrodes and their corresponding flexible ZABs for application in wearable electronic devices.

Carbon-based 0D/1D/2D assembly with desired structures and defect states as non-metal bifunctional electrocatalyst for zinc-air battery

For the design of electrocatalysts, the combination between components and the regulation of material structures tend to be neglected, giving rise to the constraint of catalytic performance and durability. Herein, we developed a graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) with enhanced oxygen content by a one-step cutting method. Then, one-dimensional (1D) carbon nanotubes and two-dimensional (2D) reduced graphene oxide are crosslinked and self-assembled, thus attracting unsaturated-bond-riches GOODs (0D) to uniformly attach to the skeleton, simultaneously achieving nitrogen and sulfur co-doping. To the best of our knowledge, there is no report to prepare bifunctional electrocatalyst with GOQDs. Electrochemical tests show that even without metal-doping, the novel non-metal bifunctional electrocatalyst (N,S-GOQD-RGO/CNT) exhibits a higher half-wave potential (0.84 V) and enhanced limiting current density (5.88 mA cm^-2) than commercial Pt/C catalyst. The density functional theory is implemented to reveal the coordination of nitrogen and sulfur co-doping on GOQDs, which results in the improvement of overall catalytic active sites. Furthermore, the rechargeable zinc-air battery based on N,S-GOQD-RGO/CNT exhibits a maximum power density of 134.3 mW cm^-2, open circuit potential of 1.414 V, which is better than Pt/C+Ru/C mixed material. The obtained N,S-GOQD-RGO/CNT will provide a perspective application in fuel cells.

Docking MOF crystals on graphene support for highly selective electrocatalytic peroxide production

Tailoring the reaction kinetics is the central theme of designer electrocatalysts, which enables the selective conversion of abundant and inert atmospheric species into useful products. Here we show a supporting effect in tuning the electrocatalytic kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) from four-electron to two-electron mechanism by docking metalloporphyrin-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) crystals on graphene support, leading to highly selective peroxide production with faradaic efficiency as high as 93.4%. A magic angle of 38.1° tilting for the co-facial alignment was uncovered by electron diffraction tomography, which is attributed to the maximization of π-π interaction for mitigating the lattice and symmetry mismatch between MOF and graphene. The facilitated electron migration and oxygen chemisorption could be ascribed to the supportive effect of graphene that disperses of the electron state of the active center, and ultimately regulates rate-determining step.

ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

Supplementary material (synthesis protocols for control samples, morphological and structural characterizations, porosity, electrochemical properties and activities including SEM, TEM, XPS, Raman, AFM investigations) is available in the online version of this article at 10.1007/s12274-021-3382-3.

Cobalt single atom catalysts for the efficient electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide

Cobalt single atoms anchored on N-doped graphitic carbon were successfully synthesised and exhibited superior two-electron oxygen reduction reaction activity with a H₂O₂ selectivity of ∼76.0% at 0.5 V (vs. RHE).

Recent Advances in Energy Conversion Applications of Carbon Dots: From Optoelectronic Devices to Electrocatalysis

Exploitation and utilization of sustainable energy sources has increasingly become the common theme of global social development, which has promoted tremendous development of energy conversion devices/technologies. Owing to excellent and unique optical/electrical properties, carbon dots (CDs) have attracted extensive research interest for numerous energy conversion applications. Strong absorption, downconversion photoluminescence, electron acceptor/donor characteristics, and excellent electron conductivity endow CDs with enormous potential for applications in optoelectronic devices. Furthermore, excellent electron transfers/transport capacities and easily manipulable structural defects of CDs offer distinct advantages for electrocatalytic applications. Recent advances in CD-based energy conversion applications, including optoelectronic devices such as light-emitting diodes and solar cells, and electrocatalytic reactions including the hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, and carbon dioxide reduction reaction, are summarized. Finally, current challenges and future prospects for CD-based energy conversion applications are proposed, highlighting the importance of controllable structural design and modifications.

Miniemulsion polymerization of styrene using carboxylated graphene quantum dots as surfactant

Carboxylated graphene quantum dots (cGQDs) were synthesized from dextrose and sulfuric acid via a hydrothermal process, and subsequently used as sole surfactant in miniemulsion polymerization of styrene.

Miniemulsion polymerization using carboxylated graphene quantum dots as surfactants: effects of monomer and initiator type

The effectiveness of carboxylated graphene quantum dots (cGQDs) as sole surfactants have been investigated in miniemulsion polymerization of 8 different vinyl monomers, initiated by oil-soluble initiator AIBN and water-soluble initiator VA-044.

Boron-, sulfur-, and phosphorus-doped graphene for environmental applications

The control of environmental pollutants is a global concern. Recently, heteroatom-doped graphene has drawn increasing attention due to their widespread applications in removing and detecting environmental pollutants. Owing to the introduction of heteroatoms into pristine graphene, the properties of heteroatom-doped graphene have been significantly enhanced in physic, chemistry, and biology. This review focuses on the approaches for synthesis and characterization of boron-, sulfur-, and phosphorus-doped graphene and their applications in the fields of adsorption, catalysis, and detection for environmental pollutants. The mechanisms of environmental applications, including π-π interactions, complexation, hydrophobic interactions, electronic conductivity, and active sites and reactive radicals, are elaborated. Furthermore, the challenges associated with the use of heteroatom-doped graphene materials and their prospective applications are also proposed.

Mesoporous Carbon with Different Density of Thiophenic-Like Functional Groups and Their Effect on Oxygen Reduction

The metal-support interactions between sulfur-doped carbon supports (SMCs) and Pt nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated, aiming at verifying how sulfur functional groups can improve the electrocatalytic performance of Pt NPs towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). SMCs were synthetized, tailoring the density of sulfur functional groups, and Pt NPs were deposited by thermal reduction of Pt(acac)₂ . The extent of the metal-support interaction was proved by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, which revealed a strong electronic interaction, proportional to the density of sulfur defects, whereas XRD spectra provided evidence of higher strain in Pt NPs loaded on SMC. DFT simulations confirmed that the metal-support interaction was strongest in the presence of a high density of sulfur defects. The combination of microstrain and electronic effects resulted in a high catalytic activity of supported Pt NPs towards ORR, with linear correlations of the half-wave potential E_1/2 or the kinetic current j_k with the sulfur content in the support. Furthermore, a mass activity value (550 A g^-1 ) well above the United States Department of Energy target of 440 A g^-1 at 0.9 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE), was determined.

Anodization study of epitaxial graphene: insights on the oxygen evolution reaction of graphitic materials

The photoemission electron microscopy and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy were utilized for the study of anodized epitaxial graphene (EG) on silicon carbide as a fundamental aspect of the oxygen evolution reaction on graphitic materials. The high-resolution analysis of surface morphology and composition quantified the material transformation during the anodization. We investigated the surface with lateral resolution <150 nm, revealing significant transformations on the EG and the role of multilayer edges in increasing the film capacitance.

How to Boost the Activity of the Monolayer Pt Supported on TiC Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction: A Density Functional Theory Study

Developing the optimized electrocatalysts with high Pt utilization as well as the outstanding performance for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has raised great attention. Herein, the effects of the interlayer ZrC, HfC, or TiN and the multilayer Pt shell on the adsorption ability and the catalytic activity of the TiC@Pt core-shell structures are systemically investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. For the sandwich structures, the presence of TiN significantly enhances the adsorption ability of the Pt shell, leading to the deterioration of the activity whilst the negligible influence of the ZrC and HfC insertion results the comparable performance with respect to TiC@Pt_1ML. In addition, increasing the thickness of the Pt shell reduces the oxyphilic capacity and then mitigates the OH poisoning. From the free energy plots, the superior activity of TiC@Pt_2ML is identified in comparison with 1ML and 3ML Pt shell. Herein, the improved activity with its high Pt atomic utilization makes the potential TiC@Pt_2ML electrocatalyst for the future fuel cells.

Recent Advances on Graphene Quantum Dots: From Chemistry and Physics to Applications

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) that are flat 0D nanomaterials have attracted increasing interest because of their exceptional chemicophysical properties and novel applications in energy conversion and storage, electro/photo/chemical catalysis, flexible devices, sensing, display, imaging, and theranostics. The significant advances in the recent years are summarized with comparative and balanced discussion. The differences between GQDs and other nanomaterials, including their nanocarbon cousins, are emphasized, and the unique advantages of GQDs for specific applications are highlighted. The current challenges and outlook of this growing field are also discussed.

Under-cover stabilization and reactivity of a dense carbon monoxide layer on Pt(111)

A dense CO overlayer on a Pt(111) surface under a 2D hybrid h-BN–graphene cover was studied.

The space between a metal surface and a two-dimensional cover can be regarded as a nanoreactor, where confined molecule adsorption and surface reactions may occur. In this work, we report CO intercalation and reactivity between a graphene-hexagonal boron nitride (h-BNG) heterostructure and Pt(111). By employing high resolution X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) we demonstrate the molecular intercalation of the full h-BNG overlayer and stabilization of a dense R23.4°–13CO layer on Pt(111) under ultra-high vacuum at room temperature. We provide experimental evidence of a weakened CO–metal bond due to the confinement effects of the 2D cover. Temperature-programmed XPS results reveal that CO desorption is kinetically delayed and occurs at a higher temperature than on bare Pt(111). Moreover, CO partially reacts with the h-BNG layer to form boron-oxide species, which affect repeated CO intercalation. Finally, we found that the properties of the system towards interaction with CO can be considerably recovered using high temperature treatment.

The Activity Improvement of the TM3(hexaiminotriphenylene)2 Monolayer for Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysis: A Density Functional Theory Study

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are one of the most prominent clean energy technologies designed to achieve hydrogen utilization and solve problems such as low efficiency and high pollution associated with fossil fuel combustion. In order to bring about PEMFC commercialization, especially for automobile applications, developing high-activity and -selectivity catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of critical importance. Based on the density functional theory, the catalytic activity of the conductive, two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks TM3(HITP)2 monolayer (where HITP = hexaiminotriphenylene; TM = Ni, Co, Fe, Pd, Rh, Ru, Pt, Ir, and Os) for ORR has been investigated systematically. Furthermore, the classical volcano curves of the ORR activity, as a function of the OH binding, are found where the Ni, Pd, and Pt located at the weak binding side suffer from the sluggish *OOH formation and prefer the inefficient 2e - mechanism, while for other elements belonging to the strong binding side, the reactions are hindered by the poison due to ORR intermediates. Based on the free energy profiles, the corresponding overpotentials μORR exhibit the inverted volcano curve as a function of the atomic number of the 3d/4d/5d TM active center in the same period. Based on the μORR data, ORR activity decreases in the order of Ir > Co ≈ Rh > Ni ≈ Pd > Pt ≈ Fe > Ru > Os. Herein, the Co, Rh, and Ir central atoms exhibit enhanced catalytic activity in combination with the desirable selectivity of the O2 reduction to H2O. This systematic work may open new avenues for the development of high-performance non-PGM catalysts for practical applications of ORR.

Graphite carbon nitride/boron-doped graphene hybrid for efficient hydrogen generation reaction

Metal-free carbon materials, with tuned surface chemical and electronic properties, hold great potential for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). We designed and synthesized a CN/BG hybrid electrocatalytic system with a porous and active graphite carbon nitride (CN) layer on boron-doped graphene (BG). A porous CN layer on graphene could provide exposed defects and edges that act as active sites for proton adsorption and reduction. The composition, structure, surface electronics, and chemical properties of this CN/BG hybrid system were tuned to obtain excellent HER activity and stability. Detailed surface chemical, morphological, and structural analyses demonstrated the synergetic effect arising from the electronic interaction between CN and BG, which contributed to the enhanced electrocatalytic performances.

Aerosol Synthesis of N and N-S Doped and Crumpled Graphene Nanostructures

Chemically modified graphene–based materials (CMG) are currently attracting a vast interest in their application in different fields. In particular, heteroatom-doped graphenes have revealed great potentialities in the field of electrocatalysis as substitutes of fuel cell noble metal–based catalysts. In this work, we investigate an innovative process for doping graphene nanostructures. We optimize a novel synthetic route based on aerosol preparation, which allows the simultaneous doping, crumpling, and reduction of graphene oxide (GO). Starting from aqueous solutions containing GO and the dopant precursors, we synthesize N- and N,S-dual-doped 3D graphene nanostructures (N-cGO and N,S-cGO). In the aerosol process, every aerosol droplet can be considered as a microreactor where dopant precursors undergo thermal decomposition and react with the GO flakes. Simultaneously, thanks to the relatively high temperature, GO undergoes crumpling and partial reduction. Using a combination of spectroscopic and microscopic characterization techniques, we investigate the morphology of the obtained materials and the chemical nature of the dopants within the crumpled graphene sheets. This study highlights the versatility of the aerosol process for the design of new CMG materials with tailored electrocatalytic properties.

Enhanced electrocatalytic activity of nitrogen-doped olympicene/graphene hybrids for the oxygen reduction reaction

Developing inexpensive and non-precious metal electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is among the major goals in fuel cells. Herein, by using density-functional theory calculations, we show that N-doped olympicene/graphene hybrids exhibit unexpectedly high ORR catalytic activity-even comparable to that of the Pt(111) surface. Both graphitic-type and pyridine-type N-doped olympicene/graphene hybrids are highly active for the ORR and have good CO tolerance. The formation of the second H2O molecule is the rate-determining step for the ORR with the graphitic-type hybrid, whereas on the pyridine-type hybrid, it is the formation of OOH. Note that N-doped olympicene/graphene hybrid materials combine the high reactivity of olympicene and the high electrical conductivity of graphene, which allows them to be potentially used as low-cost and non-precious-metal ORR catalysts.

Size effect of oxygen reduction reaction on nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots

The adsorption strength of ORR intermediates, the reaction free energy of rate-determining step, and the overpotential increase with the increase of the size of N-doped graphene quantum dots.

C-doping into h-BN at low annealing temperature by alkaline earth metal borate for photoredox activity

BCN (boron carbon nitride) nanosheets are promising photocatalyst materials for solar fuel production by visible light-driven water splitting and CO₂ reduction due to their tunable band gap and unique properties. C-doping into h-BN by thermal annealing makes possible the preparation of BCN nanosheets with photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation, but it generally requires a very high temperature (>1250 °C) from the thermodynamic viewpoint. Here, we report a new method to prepare BCN nanosheets with visible light-photocatalytic activity at lower annealing temperature (1000 °C) than equilibrium by adding alkaline earth metal compounds. BCN nanosheets formed in borate melt show a clear layered structure, tunable bandgap and photocatalytic activity for water splitting and CO₂ reduction under visible light illumination. This provides a direction for doping other elements into h-BN at low annealing temperature by alkaline earth metal borates.

The alkaline earth metal borates promote the formation of C-doped h-BN nanosheets at low annealing temperature towards robust photocatalytic activity.

Regioselectivity in hexagonal boron nitride co-doped graphene

The active electron transfer (ET) sites on the graphene surface can be controlled by hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) doping.