Electrochemically active site-rich nanocomposites of two-dimensional materials as anode catalysts for direct oxidation fuel cells: new age beyond graphene

Direct oxidation fuel cell (DOFC) has been opted as a green alternative to fossil fuels and intermittent energy resources as it is economically viable, possesses good conversion efficiency, as well as exhibits high power density and superfast charging. The anode catalyst is a vital component of DOFC, which improves the oxidation of fuels; however, the development of an efficient anode catalyst is still a challenge. In this regard, 2D materials have attracted attention as DOFC anode catalysts due to their fascinating electrochemical properties such as excellent mechanical properties, large surface area, superior electron transfer, presence of active sites, and tunable electronic states. This timely review encapsulates in detail different types of fuel cells, their mechanisms, and contemporary challenges; focuses on the anode catalyst/support based on new generation 2D materials, namely, 2D transition metal carbide/nitride or carbonitride (MXene), graphitic carbon nitride, transition metal dichalcogenides, and transition metal oxides; as well as their properties and role in DOFC along with the mechanisms involved.

Facile in situ reductive synthesis of both nitrogen deficient and protonated g-C3N4 nanosheets for the synergistic enhancement of visible-light H2 evolution

A new strategy is reported here to synthesize both nitrogen deficient and protonated graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets by the conjoint use of NH4Cl as a dynamic gas template together with hypophosphorous acid (H3PO2) as a doping agent. The NH4Cl treatment allows for the scalable production of protonated g-C3N4 nanosheets. With the corresponding co-addition of H3PO2, nitrogen vacancies, accompanied by both additional protons and interstitially-doped phosphorus, are introduced into the g-C3N4 framework, and the electronic bandgap of g-C3N4 nanosheets as well as their optical properties and hydrogen-production performance can be precisely tuned by careful adjustment of the H3PO2 treatment. This conjoint approach thereby results in improved visible-light absorption, enhanced charge-carrier separation and a high H2 evolution rate of 881.7 μmol h-1 achieved over the H3PO2 doped g-C3N4 nanosheets with a corresponding apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 40.4% (at 420 nm). We illustrate that the synergistic H3PO2 doping modifies the layered g-C3N4 materials by introducing nitrogen vacancies as well as protonating them, leading to significant photocatalytic H2 evolution enhancements, while the g-C3N4 materials doped with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) are simply protonated further, revealing the varied doping effects of phosphorus having different (but accessible) valence states.

Preparation, formation mechanism, photocatalytic, cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of sodium niobate nanocubes

A hydrothermal method was employed to prepare the sodium niobate (NaNbO₃) nanocubes. We executed time dependent experiments to illustrate the formation mechanism of sodium niobate nanocubes. It was observed that the morphology of NaNbO₃ nanocubes was dependent on the reaction time and 12hr reaction time was found to be suitable. Morphology, composition, structure and optical properties of sodium niobate nanocubes were evaluated by scanning electron microscope, X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometer, X-ray diffraction and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectrometer. The photocatalytic activity of sodium niobate was studied for photocatalytic hydrogen production. It was anticipated that the sodium niobate (NaNbO₃) cubes exhibited good photocatalytic activity under UV light irradiation using lactic acid as sacrificial agent. The cytotoxicity activity of sodium niobate nanocubes was studied as well at different concentrations (5 mg/mL, 3 mg/mL, 1 mg/mL, and 0.25 mg/mL) against human colon colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT116) by MTT assay and EC₅₀ was found to be 1.9 mg/mL. Sodium niobate proved to be a good DPPH free radical scavenging material, tested at different concentrations. It was noticed that peak intensity at 517 nm was decreased after 30 minute incubation, further supporting the antioxidant activity. This study will be useful for design and engineering of materials that can be used in biomedical applications and in photocatalysis.

Synthesis and characterization of BiPO4/g-C3N4 nanocomposites with significantly enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity for benzene degradation

BiPO₄/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites were fabricated by a hydrothermal method including calcination and showed high photocatalytic activity under visible light.

Facile in Situ Preparation of Graphitic-C₃N₄@carbon Paper As an Efficient Metal-Free Cathode for Nonaqueous Li-O₂ Battery

The rechargeable Li-O2 batteries with high theoretical specific energy are considered to be a promising energy storage system for electric vehicle application. Because of the prohibitive cost, limited supply, and weak durability of precious metals, the developments of novel metal-free catalysts become significant. Herein, the graphitic-carbon nitride@carbon papers have been produced by a facile in situ method and explored as cathodes for Li-O2 batteries, which manifest considerable electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction in nonaqueous electrolytes because of their improved electronic conductivity and high nitrogen content. The assembled Li-O2 batteries using graphitic-carbon nitride@carbon papers as cathodes deliver good rate capability and cycling stability with a capacity retention of more than 100 cycles.