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He L, Zhuang H, Fan Q, Yu P, Wang S, Pang Y, Chen K, Liang K. Advances and challenges in MXene-based electrocatalysts: unlocking the potential for sustainable energy conversion. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2024. [PMID: 39188198 DOI: 10.1039/d4mh00845f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
MXenes, a novel class of two-dimensional materials, have garnered significant attention for their promising electrocatalytic properties in various energy conversion applications such as water splitting, fuel cells, metal-air batteries, and nitrogen reduction reactions. Their excellent electrical conductivity, high specific surface area, and versatile surface chemistry enable exceptional catalytic performance. This review highlights recent advancements in the design and application strategies of MXenes as electrocatalysts, focusing on key reactions including hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). We discuss the tunability of MXenes' layered structures and surface properties through surface modification, MXene lattice substitution, defect and morphology engineering, and heterostructure construction. Despite the considerable progress, MXenes face challenges such as restacking during catalysis, stability issues, and difficulties in large-scale production. Addressing these challenges through innovative engineering approaches and advancing industrial synthesis techniques is crucial for the broader application of MXene-based materials. Our review underscores the potential of MXenes in transforming electrocatalytic processes and highlights future research directions to optimize their catalytic efficiency and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei He
- School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Data-Driven High-Safety Energy Materials and Applications, Ningbo Key Laboratory of Special Energy Materials and Chemistry, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China.
| | - Haizheng Zhuang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Data-Driven High-Safety Energy Materials and Applications, Ningbo Key Laboratory of Special Energy Materials and Chemistry, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China.
| | - Qi Fan
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Data-Driven High-Safety Energy Materials and Applications, Ningbo Key Laboratory of Special Energy Materials and Chemistry, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Rd, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ping Yu
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering, Ningbo University of Technology, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Shengchao Wang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Data-Driven High-Safety Energy Materials and Applications, Ningbo Key Laboratory of Special Energy Materials and Chemistry, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Rd, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yifan Pang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Ke Chen
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Data-Driven High-Safety Energy Materials and Applications, Ningbo Key Laboratory of Special Energy Materials and Chemistry, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China.
- Qianwan Institute of CNITECH, Ningbo 315336, China
| | - Kun Liang
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Data-Driven High-Safety Energy Materials and Applications, Ningbo Key Laboratory of Special Energy Materials and Chemistry, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China.
- Qianwan Institute of CNITECH, Ningbo 315336, China
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Yang Z, Liu L, Zheng Y, Liu Z, Wang L, Yang RC, Liu Z, Wang Y, Chen Z. Enhanced catalytic performance through a single-atom preparation approach: a review on ruthenium-based catalysts. NANOSCALE 2024. [PMID: 39175465 DOI: 10.1039/d4nr02289k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
The outstanding catalytic properties of single-atom catalysts (SACs) stem from the maximum atom utilization and unique quantum size effects, leading to ever-increasing research interest in SACs in recent years. Ru-based SACs, which have shown excellent catalytic activity and selectivity, have been brought to the frontier of the research field due to their lower cost compared with other noble catalysts. The synthetic approaches for preparing Ru SACs are rather diverse in the open literature, covering a wide range of applications. In this review paper, we attempt to disclose the synthetic approaches for Ru-based SACs developed in the most recent years, such as defect engineering, coordination design, ion exchange, the dipping method, and electrochemical deposition etc., and discuss their representative applications in both electrochemical and organic reaction fields, with typical application examples given of: Li-CO2 batteries, N2 reduction, water splitting and oxidation of benzyl alcohols. The mechanisms behind their enhanced catalytic performance are discussed and their structure-property relationships are revealed in this review. Finally, future prospects and remaining unsolved issues with Ru SACs are also discussed so that a roadmap for the further development of Ru SACs is established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Yang
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China.
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, NingboTech University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315100, P. R. China.
| | - Li Liu
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China.
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, NingboTech University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315100, P. R. China.
| | - Yayun Zheng
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, NingboTech University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315100, P. R. China.
| | - Zixuan Liu
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, NingboTech University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315100, P. R. China.
| | - Lin Wang
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, NingboTech University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315100, P. R. China.
| | - Richard Chunhui Yang
- Centre for Advanced Manufacturing Technology (CfAMT), School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Zongjian Liu
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P. R. China.
| | - Yichao Wang
- Centre for Advanced Manufacturing Technology (CfAMT), School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
| | - Zhengfei Chen
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, NingboTech University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315100, P. R. China.
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Wang RX, Yang L, Chen HY, Wang N, Zhang WJ, Li R, Chen YQ, You CY, Ramakrishna S, Long YZ. Rationally designing of Co-WS 2 catalysts with optimized electronic structure to enhance hydrogen evolution reaction. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 667:192-198. [PMID: 38636221 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.04.098] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Designing and developing cost-effective, high-performance catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for advancing hydrogen production technology. Tungsten-based sulfides (WSx) exhibit great potential as efficient HER catalysts, however, the activity is limited by the larger energy required for water dissociation under alkaline conditions. Herein, we adopt a top-down strategy to construct heterostructure Co-WS2 nanofiber catalysts. The experimental results and theoretical simulations unveil that the work functions-induced built-in electric field at the interface of Co-WS2 catalysts facilitates the electron transfer from Co to WS2, significantly reducing water dissociation energy and optimizing the Gibbs free energy of the entire reaction step for HER. Besides, the self-supported catalysts of Co-WS2 nanoparticles confining 1D nanofibers exhibit an increased number of active sites. As expected, the heterostructure Co-WS2 catalysts exhibit remarkable HER activity with an overpotential of 113 mV to reach 10 mA cm-2 and stability with 30 h catalyzing at 23 mA cm-2. This work can provide an avenue for designing highly efficient catalysts applicable to the field of energy storage and conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Xu Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Nanomaterials & Devices, College of Physics, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Research Center for Smart Intelligent and Wearable Technology, College of Textiles and Clothing, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Han-Yang Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Nanomaterials & Devices, College of Physics, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Nanomaterials & Devices, College of Physics, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Wen-Jie Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Nanomaterials & Devices, College of Physics, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Ru Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Nanomaterials & Devices, College of Physics, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - You-Qiang Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Nanomaterials & Devices, College of Physics, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Chao-Yu You
- Research Center for Smart Intelligent and Wearable Technology, College of Textiles and Clothing, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Seeram Ramakrishna
- Center for Nanotechnology & Sustainability, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yun-Ze Long
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Nanomaterials & Devices, College of Physics, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles (Qingdao University), Qingdao, 266071, China.
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Yang Y, Jin X, Zhan F, Yang Y. Enhancing the electronic structure of Ni-based electrocatalysts through N element substitution for the hydrogen evolution reaction. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:11604-11609. [PMID: 38860423 DOI: 10.1039/d4nr01071j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
The weak orbital coupling between Ni3N and H2O, caused by its interstitial structure and attenuated Ni-N interaction, is attributed to the high unoccupied d orbital energy of Ni3N. Consequently, the kinetics for water dissociation in the HER are slow. In this study, we effectively lowered the energy state of vacant d orbitals in Ni3N, which resulted in an exceptionally efficient HER. The as-synthesized Ni3N catalyst demonstrates an overpotential of 135 mV when subjected to a current density of 10 mA cm-2. The refined structural characterization suggests that the introduction of oxygen results in a reduction in electron densities surrounding the Ni sites. Furthermore, DFT calculations provide additional evidence that the electrocatalyst of Ni3N generates a greater number of lowest unoccupied orbitals (LUMOs) and improved alignment, thereby enhancing the adsorption and splitting of water. The notion of orbital-regulated electronic levels on Ni sites introduces a distinctive methodology for the systematic development of catalysts used in hydrogen evolution and other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibin Yang
- Chemical Pollution Control Chongqing Applied Technology Extension Center of Higher Vocational Colleges, Chongqing Industry Polytechnic College, Chongqing 401120, PR China
| | - Xin Jin
- College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, P. R. China
| | - Fangyang Zhan
- Institute for Structure and Function & Department of Physics, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P. R. China.
| | - Yang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Additives for China National Light Industry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, 710021 Xi'an, China.
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Li Z, Chen F, Li C, Zhang Z, Kong F, Pu X, Lu Q. Bimetallic sulfide/N-doped carbon composite derived from Prussian blue analogues/cellulose nanofibers film toward enhanced oxygen evolution reaction. Dalton Trans 2024; 53:6041-6049. [PMID: 38470841 DOI: 10.1039/d3dt04336c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Exploiting effective, stable, and cost-efficient electrocatalysts for the water oxidation reaction is highly desirable for renewable energy conversion techniques. Constructional design and compositional manipulation are widely used approaches to efficaciously boost the electrocatalytic performance. Herein, we designed a NiFe-bimetallic sulfide/N-doped carbon composite via a two-step thermal treatment of Prussian blue analogues/cellulose nanofibers (PBA/CNFs) film. The NiFe-bimetallic sulfide/N-doped carbon composite displayed enhanced OER performance in an alkaline environment, with an overpotential of 282 mV at 10 mA cm-2, a Tafel slope of 59.71 mV dec-1, and good stability, making the composite a candidate electrocatalyst for OER-related energy equipment. The introduction of CNFs in the precursor prevented the aggregation of PBA nanoparticles (NPs), exposed more active sites, and the resulting carbon substrate enhanced the electroconductivity of the composite. Moreover, the synergistic effect of Ni and Fe in the bimetallic sulfide could modulate the configuration of electrons, enrich the catalytically active sites, and augment the electric conductivity, thus ameliorating the OER performance. This study broadens the application of MOF-CNF composites to construct hierarchical structures of metal compounds and provides some thoughts for the development of cost-effective precious-metal-free catalysts for electrocatalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China.
| | - Feiyang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China.
| | - Chunlong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China.
| | - Zhiliang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China.
| | - Fangong Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China.
| | - Xipeng Pu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Energy Storage and Novel Cell Technology, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Qifang Lu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Processing and Testing Technology of Glass and Functional Ceramics, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China
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Sun J, Qin S, Zhao Z, Zhang Z, Meng X. Rapid carbothermal shocking fabrication of iron-incorporated molybdenum oxide with heterogeneous spin states for enhanced overall water/seawater splitting. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2024; 11:1199-1211. [PMID: 38112124 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh01757e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Molybdenum dioxide (MoO2) has been considered as a promising hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst. However, the active sites are mainly located at the edges, resulting in few active sites and poor activity in the HER. Herein, we first reported on an efficient strategy to incorporate Fe into MoO2 nanosheets on Ni foam (Fe-MoO2/NF) using a rapid carbothermal shocking method (820 °C for 127 s). Notably, the different spin states between Fe and Mo atoms could lead to rich lattice dislocations in Fe-MoO2/NF, exposing abundant oxygen vacancies and the low-oxidation-state of Mo sites during the rapid Joule heating process. As tested, the catalyst exhibited superior activity with ultralow overpotentials (HER: 17 mV@10 mA cm-2; oxygen evolution reaction (OER): 310 mV@50 mA cm-2) and high OER selectivity in alkaline seawater splitting. Meanwhile, this catalyst was equipped in a home-made anion exchange membrane (AEM) seawater electrolyzer, which achieved a low energy consumption (5.5 kW h m-3). More importantly, Fe-MoO2/NF also coupled very well with a solar-driven electrolytic system and turned out a solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency of 13.5%. Theoretical results also demonstrated that Fe incorporated and abundant oxygen vacancies in MoO2 can distort the distance of the Mo-O bonds and regulate the electronic structure, thus optimizing the binding energy of H*/OOH* adsorption. This method can be extended to other heterogeneous spin states in MoO2-based catalysts (e.g. Ni-MoO2/NF, Co-MoO2/NF) for seawater splitting, and provide a simple, efficient and universal strategy to prepare highly-efficient MoO2-based electrocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianpeng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Shiyu Qin
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Zhan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Zisheng Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N6N5, Canada.
| | - Xiangchao Meng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
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