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Ke X, Wang P, Wang X, Chen F, Yu H. Releasing Au Electrons to Mo Site for Weakened Mo─H Bond of Mo 2C MXene Cocatalyst Toward Improved Photocatalytic H 2 Production. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2405378. [PMID: 39212646 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202405378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2024] [Revised: 08/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Mo2C MXene (Mo2CTx) is one of the most promising noble-metal-free cocatalysts for photocatalytic H2 production because of its excellent electron transport capacity and abundant Mo sites. However, Mo2CTx typically exhibits a strong Mo─Hads bond, resulting in that the produced H2 difficultly desorbs from the Mo surface for the limited activity. To effectively weaken the Mo─Hads bond, in this paper, a regulation strategy of electron donor Au releasing electrons to the d-orbitals of Mo sites in Mo2CTx is proposed. Herein, the Mo2CTx-Au/CdS photocatalysts are prepared through a two-step process, including the initial loading of Au nanoparticles on the Mo2CTx surface and the subsequent in situ growth of CdS onto the Mo2CTx-Au surface. Photocatalytic measurements indicate that the maximal H2-production rate of Mo2CTx-Au/CdS reaches up to 2799.44 µmol g-1 h-1, which is 30.99 and 3.60 times higher than that of CdS and Mo2CTx/CdS, respectively. Experimental and theoretical data corroborate that metallic Au can transfer free electrons to Mo2CTx to generate electron-enriched Moδ- sites, thus causing the increased antibonding-orbital occupancy state and the weakened Mo─Hads bond for the boosted H2-production efficiency. This research provides a promising approach for designing Mo2CTx-based cocatalysts by regulating the antibonding-orbital occupancy of Mo sites for improved photocatalytic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochun Ke
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, and School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
| | - Ping Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, and School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
| | - Xuefei Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, and School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
| | - Feng Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, and School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
| | - Huogen Yu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, and School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Solar Fuel, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
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2
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Chen Q, Huang Z, Liu M, Li X, Du Y, Chen X, Ding D, Yang S, Chen Y, Chen R. Facilitated Unidirectional Electron Transmission by Ru Nano Particulars Distribution on MXene Mo 2C@g-C 3N 4 Heterostructures for Enhanced Photocatalytic H 2 Evolution. Molecules 2024; 29:1684. [PMID: 38611963 PMCID: PMC11013833 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Precious metals exhibit promising potential for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), but their limited abundance restricts widespread utilization. Loading precious metal nanoparticles (NPs) on 2D/2D heterojunctions has garnered considerable interest since it saves precious metal consumption and facilitates unidirectional electron transmission from semiconductors to active sites. In this study, Ru NPs loaded on MXenes Mo2C by an in-site simple strategy and then formed 2D/2D heterojunctions with 2D g-C3N4 (CN) via electrostatic self-assembly were used to enhance photocatalytic H2 evolution. Evident from energy band structure analyses such as UV-vis and TRPL, trace amounts of Ru NPs as active sites significantly improve the efficiency of the hydrogen evolution reaction. More interestingly, MXene Mo2C, as substrates for supporting Ru NPs, enriches photoexcited electrons from CN, thereby enhancing the unidirectional electron transmission. As a result, the combination of Ru-Mo2C and CN constructs a composite heterojunction (Ru-Mo2C@CN) that shows an improved H2 production rate at 1776.4 μmol∙g-1∙h-1 (AQE 3.58% at 400 nm), which is facilitated by the unidirectional photogenerated electron transmission from the valence band on CN to the active sites on Ru (CN→Mo2C→Ru). The study offers fresh perspectives on accelerated unidirectional photogenerated electron transmission and saved precious metal usage in photocatalytic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyu Chen
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; (Q.C.)
- Yanshan Earth Critical Zone and Surface Fluxes Research Station, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zonghan Huang
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; (Q.C.)
- Yanshan Earth Critical Zone and Surface Fluxes Research Station, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Meng Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; (Q.C.)
- Yanshan Earth Critical Zone and Surface Fluxes Research Station, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoping Li
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; (Q.C.)
- Yanshan Earth Critical Zone and Surface Fluxes Research Station, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuxuan Du
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; (Q.C.)
- Yanshan Earth Critical Zone and Surface Fluxes Research Station, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaobao Chen
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; (Q.C.)
- Yanshan Earth Critical Zone and Surface Fluxes Research Station, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dahu Ding
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Shengjiong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, No. 13, Yanta Road, Xi’an 710055, China
| | - Yang Chen
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; (Q.C.)
- Yanshan Earth Critical Zone and Surface Fluxes Research Station, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Rongzhi Chen
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; (Q.C.)
- Yanshan Earth Critical Zone and Surface Fluxes Research Station, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Wang Y, Pajares A, Serafin J, Alcobé X, Güell F, Homs N, Ramírez de la Piscina P. Mo xC Heterostructures as Efficient Cocatalysts in Robust Mo xC/g-C 3N 4 Nanocomposites for Photocatalytic H 2 Production from Ethanol. ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 2024; 12:4365-4374. [PMID: 38516399 PMCID: PMC10954046 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.3c06261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
In this work, we studied new materials free of noble metals that are active in photocatalytic H2 generation from ethanol aqueous solutions (EtOHaq), which can be obtained from biomass. MoxC/g-C3N4 photocatalysts containing hexagonal (hcp) Mo2C and/or cubic (fcc) MoC nanoparticles on g-C3N4 nanosheets were prepared, characterized, and evaluated for photocatalytic hydrogen production from EtOHaq (25% v/v). Tailored MoxC/g-C3N4 nanocomposites with MoxC crystallite sizes in the 4-37 nm range were prepared by treatment with ultrasound of dispersions containing MoxC and g-C3N4 nanosheets, formerly synthesized. The characterization of the resulting nanocomposites, MoxC/g-C3N4, by different techniques, including photoelectrochemical measurements, allowed us to relate the photocatalytic performance of materials with the characteristics of the MoxC phase integrated onto g-C3N4. The samples containing smaller hcp Mo2C crystallites showed better photocatalytic performance. The most performant nanocomposite contained nanoparticles of both hcp Mo2C and fcc MoC and produced 27.9 mmol H2 g-1 Mo; this sample showed the lowest recombination of photogenerated charges, the highest photocurrent response, and the lowest electron transfer resistance, which can be related to the presence of MoC-Mo2C heterojunctions. Moreover, this material allows for easy reusability. This work provides new insights for future research on noble-metal-free g-C3N4-based photocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, secció
de Química Inorgànica & Institut de Nanociència
i Nanotecnologia (IN2UB), Universitat de
Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Catalonia
Institute for Energy Research (IREC), Jardins de les Dones de Negre 1, 08930 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arturo Pajares
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, secció
de Química Inorgànica & Institut de Nanociència
i Nanotecnologia (IN2UB), Universitat de
Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Catalonia
Institute for Energy Research (IREC), Jardins de les Dones de Negre 1, 08930 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jarosław Serafin
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, secció
de Química Inorgànica & Institut de Nanociència
i Nanotecnologia (IN2UB), Universitat de
Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Alcobé
- Unitat
de Difracció de Raigs X, Centres Científics i Tecnològics
(CCiTUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Lluís Solé i Sabaris
1-3, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Frank Güell
- ENPHOCAMAT
Group, Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (IN2UB), Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Narcís Homs
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, secció
de Química Inorgànica & Institut de Nanociència
i Nanotecnologia (IN2UB), Universitat de
Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Catalonia
Institute for Energy Research (IREC), Jardins de les Dones de Negre 1, 08930 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Ramírez de la Piscina
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, secció
de Química Inorgànica & Institut de Nanociència
i Nanotecnologia (IN2UB), Universitat de
Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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Huo J, Ge R, Liu Y, Li Y, Liao T, Yang J, Zhang J, Li S, Fei B, Li W. Heterointerface manipulation in the architecture of Co-Mo 2C@NC boosts water electrolysis. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 655:963-975. [PMID: 37953134 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.10.146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Heterostructures with tunable electronic properties have shown great potential in water electrolysis for the replacement of current benchmark precious metals. However, constructing heterostructures with sufficient interfaces to strengthen the synergistic effect of multiple species still remains a challenge due to phase separation. Herein, an efficient electrocatalyst composed of a nanosized cobalt/Mo2C heterostructure anchored on N-doped carbon (Co-Mo2C@NC) was achieved by in situ topotactic phase transformation. With the merits of high conductivity, hierarchical pores, and strong electronic interaction between Co and Mo2C, the Co-Mo2C@5NC-4 catalyst shows excellent activity with a low overpotential for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER, 89 mV@10 mA cm-2 in alkaline medium; 143 mV@10 mA cm-2 in acidic medium) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER, 356 mV@10 mA cm-2 in alkaline medium), as well as high stability. Furthermore, this catalyst in an electrolyzer shows efficient activity for overall water splitting and long-term durability. Theoretical calculations reveal the optimized adsorption-desorption behaviour of hydrogen intermediates on the generated cobalt layered hydroxide (Co LDH)/Mo2C interfaces, resulting in boosting alkaline water electrolysis. This work proposes a new interface-engineering perspective for the construction of high-activity heterostructures for electrochemical conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanjuan Huo
- Institute of Energy Materials Science, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Riyue Ge
- Institute of Energy Materials Science, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China; School of Fashion & Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong S.A.R, 999077, China.
| | - Yang Liu
- Institute for Sustainable Energy, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Ying Li
- Institute for Sustainable Energy, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Ting Liao
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
| | - Jack Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Jiujun Zhang
- Institute for Sustainable Energy, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Sean Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Bin Fei
- School of Fashion & Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong S.A.R, 999077, China.
| | - Wenxian Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
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Zhong W, Zhao B, Wang X, Wang P, Yu H. Synchronously Enhancing Water Adsorption and Strengthening Se–H ads Bonds in Se-Rich RuSe 2+x Cocatalyst for Efficient Alkaline Photocatalytic H 2 Production. ACS Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c04042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures and School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Binbin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures and School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuefei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures and School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures and School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huogen Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures and School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan430070, People’s Republic of China
- Laboratory of Solar Fuel, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan430074, People’s Republic of China
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Kuchmiy SY, Shvalagin VV. 2D Metal Carbides as Components of Photocatalytic Systems for Hydrogen Production: A Review. THEOR EXP CHEM+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11237-022-09733-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Wang M, Wang P, Long H, Wang X, Chen F, Yu H. Improved H-adsorption ability of Cu of CuNi alloy nanodots toward efficient photocatalytic as H2-evolution activity of TiO2. Dalton Trans 2022; 51:14526-14534. [DOI: 10.1039/d2dt02543d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Compared with noble metal Pt, non-noble metal Cu as a cocatalyst exhibits a low hydrogen-evolution activity owing to its weak Cu-H bond (11 kcal mol-1), which inhibits the hydrogen adsorption...
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