A Conductive Hybridization Matrix of RuO₂ Two‐Dimensional Nanosheets: A Hybrid‐Type Photocatalyst

Abstract

A universal methodology to efficiently improve the photocatalyst performance of semiconductors was developed by employing exfoliated RuO2 two‐dimensional nanosheets as a conducting hybridization matrix. The hybridization with a RuO2 nanosheet is easily achieved by crystal growth or electrostatically derived anchoring of semiconductor nanocrystals on the RuO2 nanosheet. An enhanced chemical interaction of inorganic semiconductor with hydrophilic RuO2 nanosheet is fairly effective in optimizing their photocatalytic activity and photostability by the enhancement of charge separation and charge mobility. The RuO2‐containing nanohybrids show much better photocatalyst functionalities than do the graphene‐containing ones. The present study clearly demonstrates that hydrophilic RuO2 nanosheets are superior hybridization matrices, over the widely used hydrophobic graphene nanosheets, for exploring new efficient hybrid‐type photocatalysts.

A rational method to kinetically control the rate-determining step to explore efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction

“…2c). As expected from the previous study 17 , this result indicates an increase in the binding energy of OH − species on the LDH layer upon hybridization with RuO 2 NSs. Indeed, the distance between the oxygen atoms of the OH − species and the Ni-Co-LDH surface decreases from 1.499 to 1.476 Å after the hybridization of LDH with the RuO 2 slab, as shown in Figures S1a and S1b in the Supplementary Information.…”

“…Thus, it is crucial to tailor the binding affinities of sites on the surface of metal hydroxides for these intermediate species to improve the OER functionality. Since hydrophilic RuO 2 NSs can act as an efficient electron reservoir for many inorganic solids 17,18 , hybridization with this electron-withdrawing NS is expected to be quite effective in enhancing the electrophilicity of transition metal hydroxides/oxides via interfacial electron transfer between hybridized NSs. The resulting increase in the electrophilicity of the electrocatalyst would be quite advantageous in promoting the binding of nucleophilic OH − and/or OOH • species on the surface, leading to remarkable enhancement of the OER electrocatalytic activity.…”

Organic Intercalant-Free Liquid Exfoliation Route to Layered Metal-Oxide Nanosheets via the Control of Electrostatic Interlayer Interaction

“…To verify the usefulness of the present liquid-exfoliated TMO NSs as hybridization matrices, the obtained RuO 2 NS is hybridized with the photocatalytically active CdS quantum dot (QD). 44 The electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged RuO 2 NS and positively charged CdS QD yields an intimately coupled CdS−RuO 2 nanohybrid. 44 As depicted in the powder XRD patterns of Figure 7A as an electron reservoir, as found from density functional theory calculations.…”

“…44 The electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged RuO 2 NS and positively charged CdS QD yields an intimately coupled CdS−RuO 2 nanohybrid. 44 As depicted in the powder XRD patterns of Figure 7A as an electron reservoir, as found from density functional theory calculations. 44 Of prime importance is that the PL depression is much more prominent for the CdS−RuO 2 nanohybrid than for the physical mixture of CdS and H 0.2 RuO 2 , confirming the high efficiency of the liquidexfoliated RuO 2 NS as an electron reservoir.…”

Recent advances in two-dimensional inorganic nanosheet-based supercapacitor electrodes

“…Because of the very low thickness of 2D nanosheets, most of their constituent ions are exposed on their surface; this results in an unusually strong interfacial coupling between the adjacent species. The hybridization of inorganic nanosheets with other nanostructured species enables the optimization of their functionalities by inducing interfacial electronic coupling between them [9][10][11]. In addition, the hybridization of 2D inorganic nanosheets with foreign species frequently yields highly porous hierarchical structures with both micropores and mesopores [12,13].…”