1
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Li Q, Wang J, Huang H, Zhao G, Wang LL, Zhu X. Strain-induced excellent photocatalytic performance in Z-scheme BlueP/γ-SnS heterostructures for water splitting. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:10289-10300. [PMID: 38497927 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp06004g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Constructing Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts with high solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency is a practical alternative to produce clean and recyclable hydrogen energy on a large scale. This paper presents the design of stable Z-scheme blue phosphorene (BlueP)/γ-SnS heterostructures with excellent photocatalytic activities by applying strains. The first-principles calculations show that the BlueP/γ-SnS heterobilayer is a type-I heterojunction with an indirect bandgap of 1.41 eV and strong visible-light absorption up to 105 cm-1. Interestingly, biaxial strains (ε) can effectively regulate its bandgap width (semiconductor-metal) and induce the band alignment transition (type-I-type-II). Compressive and tensile strains can significantly enhance the interfacial interaction and visible-light absorption, respectively. More intriguingly, compressive strains can not only modulate the heterojunction types but also make the band edges meet the requirements for overall water splitting. In particular, the Z-scheme (type-I) BlueP/γ-SnS bilayer at -8% (-2%) strain exhibits a relatively high STH efficiency of 18% (17%), and the strained Z-scheme system (-8% ≤ ε ≤ -6%) also exhibits high and anisotropic carrier mobilities (158-2327 cm2 V-1 s-1). These strain-induced outstanding properties make BlueP/γ-SnS heterostructures promising candidates for constructing economically feasible photocatalysts and flexible nanodevices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Li
- School of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Jiabao Wang
- School of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Hao Huang
- School of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Guangting Zhao
- School of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Ling-Ling Wang
- School of Physics and Electronics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhu
- School of Software Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330013, China.
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2
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Taseen TI, Julkarnain M, Islam AZMT. Design and simulation of nitrogenated holey graphene (C 2N) based heterostructure solar cell by SCAPS-1D. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23197. [PMID: 38148799 PMCID: PMC10750152 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The nitrogenated holey Graphene (C2N) based solar cell has been modeled and analyzed by using SCAPS-1D. Initially, a reported structure (TCO/IGZO/C2N) has been considered and improved by incorporating Al and Pt as front and back contact, respectively. Then, a novel device structure (Al/TCO/IGZO/C2N/CZT/Pt) has been proposed by inserting a BSF layer with heavily doped p-CZT material. The outcomes of the suggested cell structure have been analyzed numerically by changing different physical parameters. The absorber and BSF layer's thickness has been optimized as 0.6 μm and 0.4 μm, respectively. The cell performance is significantly declined when the bulk defect density in C2N exceeds the value of 1015 cm-3. The rising of device operating temperature shows a negative effect on performance. From this analysis, the structure has been optimized according to device performance. The optimized results have been achieved with the VOC, JSC, FF and efficiency (eta) of 1.40 V, 22.59 mA/cm2, 89.02%, and 28.16%, respectively. This research contributes to enriching the knowledge on the field of C2N materials and its use in optoelectronic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasnimul Islam Taseen
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
| | - M. Julkarnain
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh
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3
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Ali A, Shahid I, Ahmad I, Lu B, Zhang H, Zhang W, Johnny Wong PK. Enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity in SiPGaS/arsenene-based van der Waals heterostructures. iScience 2023; 26:108025. [PMID: 37841586 PMCID: PMC10568434 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) showcase robust and tunable light-matter interactions, establishing an intriguing realm for investigating atomic-scale photocatalytic properties. Here, we employ ab initio methods to study the photocatalytic and optical properties of semiconducting SiPGaS/arsenene-based vdWHs with a type-II band alignment. Across the heterointerfaces, there exists significant built-in electric fields and large potential drop, in turn facilitating the spatial separation of photo-generated electron-hole pairs. These vdWHs further possess high carrier mobility in the order of 102 cm2V⁻1S⁻1, which combining with appropriate band edge positions, endow the vdWHs an absorption coefficient of ∼10⁵ cm⁻1 to harvest a maximal portion of the solar spectrum for visible-light-driven photocatalytic applications. Our findings also reveal transition of the type-II band alignment in a type-III configuration via compressive strain for tunneling field-effect transistor application. Furthermore, both types of vdWHs exhibit enhanced suitability for photocatalysis under conditions with a pH of 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwar Ali
- ARTIST Lab for Artificial Electronic Materials & Technologies, School of Microelectronics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Yangtze River Delta Research Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University, Taicang 215400, P.R. China
| | - Ismail Shahid
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of New Energy Material Chemistry, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Centre (ReCast), Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P.R. China
| | - Iqtidar Ahmad
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P.R. China
| | - Bin Lu
- ARTIST Lab for Artificial Electronic Materials & Technologies, School of Microelectronics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Yangtze River Delta Research Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University, Taicang 215400, P.R. China
- NPU Chongqing Technology Innovation Center, Chongqing 400000, P.R. China
| | - Haitao Zhang
- ARTIST Lab for Artificial Electronic Materials & Technologies, School of Microelectronics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Yangtze River Delta Research Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University, Taicang 215400, P.R. China
| | - Wen Zhang
- ARTIST Lab for Artificial Electronic Materials & Technologies, School of Microelectronics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Yangtze River Delta Research Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University, Taicang 215400, P.R. China
| | - Ping Kwan Johnny Wong
- ARTIST Lab for Artificial Electronic Materials & Technologies, School of Microelectronics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Yangtze River Delta Research Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University, Taicang 215400, P.R. China
- NPU Chongqing Technology Innovation Center, Chongqing 400000, P.R. China
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4
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Meng M, Yang L, Yang J, Zhu Y, Li C, Xia H, Yuan H, Zhang M, Zhao Y, Tian F, Li J, Liu K, Wang L, Gan Z. Two-dimensional lateral anatase-rutile TiO 2 phase junctions with oxygen vacancies for robust photoelectrochemical water splitting. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 648:56-65. [PMID: 37295370 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.05.193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Exploiting the photoelectrode materials with broad solar light response, high-efficient separation of photogenerated charges and abundant active sites is extremely vital yet enormously challenging. Herein, an innovative two-dimensional (2D) lateral anatase-rutile TiO2 phase junctions with controllable oxygen vacancies perpendicularly aligned on Ti mesh is presented. Our experimental observations and theoretical calculations corroborate explicitly that the 2D lateral phase junctions together with three-dimensional arrays not only exhibit the high-efficient photogenerated charges separation guaranteed by the build-in electric field at the side-to-side interface, but also furnish enriching active sites. Moreover, the interfacial oxygen vacancies generate new defect energy levels and serve as electron donors, hence extending visible light response and further accelerating the separation and transfer of photogenerated charges. Profiting from these merits, the optimized photoelectrode yield a pronounced photocurrent density of 1.2 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE with Faradic efficiency of 100%, which is approximately 2.4 times larger than that of pristine 2D TiO2 nanosheets. Furthermore, the incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of the optimized photoelectrode is also boosted within both ultraviolet and visible light regions. This research is envisioned deliver the new insight in developing the novel 2D lateral phase junctions for PEC applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Meng
- School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China.
| | - Lun Yang
- Institute for Advanced Materials, School of Physics and Electronic Science, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi 435002, PR China
| | - Jing Yang
- School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China
| | - Yu Zhu
- School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China
| | - Chunyang Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China
| | - Hongjun Xia
- Henan Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China
| | - Honglei Yuan
- School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Institute for Advanced Materials, School of Physics and Electronic Science, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi 435002, PR China
| | - You Zhao
- Institute for Advanced Materials, School of Physics and Electronic Science, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi 435002, PR China
| | - Fengshou Tian
- Henan Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China
| | - Jitao Li
- School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China
| | - Kuili Liu
- School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, PR China
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
| | - Zhixing Gan
- Center for Future Optoelectronic Functional Materials, School of Computer and Electronic Information/School of Artificial Intelligence, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
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5
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Wen T, Yang Y, Li J. A novel black-P/blue-P heterostructure for the photovoltaic applications. Chem Phys Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2022.140242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
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6
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Aetizaz M, Sarfaraz S, Ayub K. Interaction of Imidazolium based ionic liquid electrolytes with carbon nitride electrodes in supercapacitors; A step forward for understanding electrode-electrolyte interaction. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.120955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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7
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Maibam A, Das SK, Samal PP, Krishnamurty S. Enhanced photocatalytic properties of a chemically modified blue phosphorene. RSC Adv 2021; 11:13348-13358. [PMID: 35423836 PMCID: PMC8697524 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra10829d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
It is high time to placate the peak demand for an efficient, economic and green fuel in the form of H2 through photocatalytic water splitting. Several low dimensional materials have been explored for their photocatalytic properties on account of their surface to volume ratio. The present study illustrates the excellent photocatalytic potential of a two-dimensional material, viz. a chemically tempered blue-phosphorene sheet, with single atom thickness and high carrier mobility. Metal-free element, sulphur, is explored as a dopant in a 32-atom blue-phosphorene sheet. The dopant is inserted at three locations viz. central, edge and central edge positions with varying concentrations from 3.125% to 18.75% (corresponding to n = 1 to 6 sulphur atoms within a 32-atom blue-phosphorene sheet, P32-n S n ). The cohesive energy studies predict the higher stability of even number S doped sheets as compared to their odd counterparts. Photocatalytic activity is studied in terms of band gap and band alignment for different concentrations of the former. Studies reveal that edge doping demonstrates better water molecule activation independent of S atom concentration. The edge doped systems not only provide the chemical activity to activate water, but also show feasible HER overpotentials of 1.24-1.29 eV at neutral medium. Finally, this work opens up a driving lead of non-corrosive catalysts for water molecule splitting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashakiran Maibam
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division, National Chemical Laboratory Pashan Road Pune 411008 India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre (CSIR-HRDC) Campus Postal Staff College Area Gaziabad 201 002 Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Sawan Kumar Das
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division, National Chemical Laboratory Pashan Road Pune 411008 India
| | - Pragnya Paramita Samal
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division, National Chemical Laboratory Pashan Road Pune 411008 India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre (CSIR-HRDC) Campus Postal Staff College Area Gaziabad 201 002 Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Sailaja Krishnamurty
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division, National Chemical Laboratory Pashan Road Pune 411008 India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre (CSIR-HRDC) Campus Postal Staff College Area Gaziabad 201 002 Uttar Pradesh India
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8
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Maibam A, Chakraborty D, Joshi K, Krishnamurty S. Exploring edge functionalised blue phosphorene nanoribbons as novel photocatalysts for water splitting. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d0nj03950k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
1D phosphorene nanoribbon edges activating water molecules under sunlight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashakiran Maibam
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division
- National Chemical Laboratory
- Pune 411008
- India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research
| | - Debalina Chakraborty
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division
- National Chemical Laboratory
- Pune 411008
- India
| | - Krati Joshi
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division
- National Chemical Laboratory
- Pune 411008
- India
| | - Sailaja Krishnamurty
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division
- National Chemical Laboratory
- Pune 411008
- India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research
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9
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Tian Z, López‐Salas N, Liu C, Liu T, Antonietti M. C 2N: A Class of Covalent Frameworks with Unique Properties. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:2001767. [PMID: 33344122 PMCID: PMC7740084 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202001767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
C2N is a unique member of the CnNm family (carbon nitrides), i.e., having a covalent structure that is ideally composed of carbon and nitrogen with only 33 mol% of nitrogen. C2N, with a stable composition, can easily be prepared using a number of precursors. Moreover, it is currently gaining extensive interest owing to its high polarity and good thermal and chemical stability, complementing carbon as well as classical carbon nitride (C3N4) in various applications, such as catalysis, environmental science, energy storage, and biotechnology. In this review, a comprehensive overview on C2N is provided; starting with its preparation methods, followed by a fundamental understanding of structure-property relationships, and finally introducing its application in gas sorption and separation technologies, as supercapacitor and battery electrodes, and in catalytic and biological processes. The review with an outlook on current research questions and future possibilities and extensions based on these material concepts is ended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong Tian
- Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Mold (Zhengzhou University)Ministry of EducationNational Engineering Research Center for Advanced Polymer Processing TechnologyZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenan450002China
- Department of Colloid ChemistryMax Planck Institute of Colloids and InterfacesPotsdam14476Germany
| | - Nieves López‐Salas
- Department of Colloid ChemistryMax Planck Institute of Colloids and InterfacesPotsdam14476Germany
| | - Chuntai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Mold (Zhengzhou University)Ministry of EducationNational Engineering Research Center for Advanced Polymer Processing TechnologyZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenan450002China
| | - Tianxi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Mold (Zhengzhou University)Ministry of EducationNational Engineering Research Center for Advanced Polymer Processing TechnologyZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenan450002China
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological ColloidsMinistry of EducationSchool of Chemical and Material EngineeringJiangnan UniversityWuxi214122P. R. China
| | - Markus Antonietti
- Department of Colloid ChemistryMax Planck Institute of Colloids and InterfacesPotsdam14476Germany
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10
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Wang G, Li Z, Wu W, Guo H, Chen C, Yuan H, Yang SA. A two-dimensional h-BN/C 2N heterostructure as a promising metal-free photocatalyst for overall water-splitting. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:24446-24454. [PMID: 33084701 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp03925j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The construction of a heterostructure (HS) is an effective strategy to modulate the desired properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials and to extend their applications. In this paper, based on the density functional theory, we predict a metal-free type-II HS formed by h-BN and C2N single layers. The h-BN/C2N HS possesses a smaller bandgap than individual h-BN and C2N single layers, and it exhibits excellent visible light absorption. Importantly, its band edge positions satisfy the requirements for spontaneous water-splitting. With the assistance of the built-in electric field across the HS and the band offset, the photoinduced carriers can be readily spatially separated. Free energy calculations indicate the high catalytic activity for water oxidation and reduction reactions. The performance can be further enhanced by strain, which modulates the bandgap and the band edge positions of the HS. The band alignment may undergo a transition from type-I to type-II under strain, offering an effective switch for the reaction. The appropriate bandgap, suitable band edge positions, and effective carrier separation make the h-BN/C2N HS a promising candidate for use as a photocatalyst in water-splitting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangzhao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Micro Nano Optoelectronic Devices and Intelligent Perception Systems, Key Laboratory of Extraordinary Bond Engineering and Advanced Materials Technology of Chongqing, School of Electronic Information Engineering, Yangtze Normal University, Chongqing 408100, China.
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11
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Sajjad M, Hussain T, Singh N, Larsson JA. Superior Anchoring of Sodium Polysulfides to the Polar C 2N 2D Material: A Potential Electrode Enhancer in Sodium-Sulfur Batteries. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:13104-13111. [PMID: 33095585 PMCID: PMC7660946 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c02616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Despite the high theoretical specific energy in rechargeable sodium-sulfur batteries, the shuttle effect severely hampers its capacity and reversibility, which could be overcome by introducing an anchoring material. We, herein, use first-principles calculations to study the low-cost, easily synthesized, environmentally friendly, and stable two-dimensional polar nitrogenated holey graphene (C2N) and nonpolar polyaniline (C3N) to investigate their performance as anchoring materials and the mechanism behind the binding to identify the best candidate to improve the performance of sodium-sulfur batteries. We gain insight into the interaction, including the lowest-energy configurations, binding energies, binding nature, charge transfer, and electronic properties. Sodium primarily contributes to binding with the nanosheets, which is in accordance with their characteristics as anchoring materials. Sodium polysulfides (NaPSs) and the S8 cluster adsorb at the pores of C2N, where there are six electron lone pairs, one for each N atom. The polar C2N binds the NaPSs much strongly than the nonpolar C3N. In contrast to C3N, the charge population substantially modifies by adsorbing NaPSs on C2N, with a substantial charge transfer from the sulfur atoms. The calculated work function of 6.04 eV for pristine C2N, comparable with the previously reported values, decreases on adsorption of the NaPSs formed from battery discharging. We suggest that the inclusion of C2N into sulfur electrodes could also improve their issue with poor conductivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Sajjad
- Applied
Physics, Division of Materials Science, Department of Engineering
Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University
of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Tanveer Hussain
- School
of Molecular Sciences, The University of
Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia
- School
of Chemical Engineering, The University
of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Nirpendra Singh
- Department
of Physics, Khalifa University of Science
and Technology, PO BOX 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Center
for Catalysis and Separation (CeCaS), Khalifa
University of Science and Technology,
PO BOX 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
(UAE)
| | - J. Andreas Larsson
- Applied
Physics, Division of Materials Science, Department of Engineering
Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University
of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
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12
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Sheng W, Xu Y, Liu M, Nie G, Wang J, Gong S. The InSe/SiH type-II van der Waals heterostructure as a promising water splitting photocatalyst: a first-principles study. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:21436-21444. [PMID: 32945319 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp03831h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production has attracted increasing research attention in recent years, and great efforts have been made in order to find the ideal photocatalyst. In this work, we proposed a two-dimensional material-based van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure constructed by vertically stacked indium selenide (InSe) and silicane (SiH) and studied the feasibility of using it as a possible photocatalyst for water splitting by using first-principles methods. The results show that the InSe/SiH is a direct band gap semiconductor with appropriate gap value and band edge position for photocatalysts in water splitting. Importantly, this heterostructure presents type-II band alignment at the equilibrium configuration, which supports the effective separation of photoexcited electrons and holes. A built-in electric field set up within the interface of the heterostructure will further hinder the electron-hole recombination and thus improve the photocatalytic efficiency. In addition, compared with separated InSe and SiH monolayers, the heterostructure exhibits enhanced light absorption capabilities in ultraviolet and visible light regions. These findings indicate that the InSe/SiH vdW heterostructure is a promising candidate for photocatalysts for solar water splitting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sheng
- School of Physics and Electronic Science, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China.
| | - Ying Xu
- School of Physics and Electronic Science, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China.
| | - Mingwei Liu
- School of Physics and Electronic Science, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China.
| | - Guozheng Nie
- School of Physics and Electronic Science, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China.
| | - Junnian Wang
- School of Physics and Electronic Science, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China.
| | - Shijing Gong
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China and Department of Electronic Engineering, Key Laboratory of Polar Materials and Devices (MOE), School of Physics and Electronic Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
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13
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Yar M, Hashmi MA, Ayub K. The C2N surface as a highly selective sensor for the detection of nitrogen iodide from a mixture of NX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) explosives. RSC Adv 2020; 10:31997-32010. [PMID: 35518175 PMCID: PMC9056556 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra04930a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Explosives are quite toxic and destructive; therefore, it is necessary to not only detect them but also remove them. The adsorption behavior of NX3 analytes (NCl3, NBr3 and NI3) over the microporous C2N surface was evaluated by DFT calculations. The nature of interactions between NX3 and C2N was characterized by adsorption energy, NCI, QTAIM, SAPT0, NBO, EDD and FMO analysis. The interaction energies of NX3 with C2N are in the range of −10.85 to −16.31 kcal mol−1 and follow the order of NCl3@C2N > NBr3@C2N > NI3@C2N, respectively. The 3D isosurfaces and 2D-RGD graph of NCI analysis qualitatively confirmed the existence of halogen bonding interactions among the studied systems. Halogen bonding was quantified by SAPT0 component energy analysis. The SAPT0 results revealed that ΔEdisp (56.75%) is the dominant contributor towards interaction energy, whereas contributions from ΔEelst and ΔEind are 29.41% and 14.34%, respectively. The QTAIM analysis also confirmed the presence of halogen bonding between atoms of NX3 and C2N surface. EDD analysis also validated NCI, QTAIM and NBO analysis. FMO analysis revealed that the adsorption of NI3 on the C2N surface caused the highest change in the EHOMO–LUMO gap (from 5.71 to 4.15 eV), and resulted in high sensitivity and selectivity of the C2N surface towards NI3, as compared to other analytes. It is worth mentioning that in all complexes, a significant difference in the EHOMO–LUMO gap was seen when electronic transitions occurred from the analyte to the C2N surface. Explosives are quite toxic and destructive; therefore, it is necessary to not only detect them but also remove them.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Yar
- Department of Chemistry
- COMSATS University
- Abbottabad Campus
- Pakistan
| | | | - Khurshid Ayub
- Department of Chemistry
- COMSATS University
- Abbottabad Campus
- Pakistan
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