Defect Engineering in Two-Dimensional Layered PdTe₂ for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

As a fascinating innovative class of effective catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), transition-metal tellurides have emerged as attractive materials, but they are still suffering from their intrinsic activity for practical applications. Defect engineering constitutes a promising strategy to optimize the electronic configuration of the catalyst and further improve the HER activity. Herein, we present the successful fabrication of PdTe2-based catalysts with three different types of vacancies (d-PdTe x ), including single Pd, Te defect site, and double Te defect sites, by using a two-step method. The obtained d-PdTe x demonstrated a remarkable HER activity with an overpotential of 76 mV at 10 mA cm–2 without iR compensation, which is far lower than that of bulk PdTe2 (259 mV). The procedure followed in this work may be extended to generate defect sites in a range of different two-dimensional materials, thus further expanding their potential application fields.

Synthesis and Electrocatalytic Applications of Layer‐Structured Metal Chalcogenides Composites

“…Compared with other functional materials, the LMCs-based composites are regarded as excellent materials for HER due to their good physical and chemical properties. [187,188] Several reports on the use of LMCs-based composites for HER are summarized in this part.…”

Defect Engineering in Transition Metal Dichalcogenide-Based Gas Sensors

“…Therefore, it has a higher resolution and can be used for investigating atomic information. Most recently, Zuo et al [35] proposed a two-step method (including HNO3 etching and electrochemical exfoliation) to fabricate PdTe2-based catalysts with three different types of vacancies (d-PdTex), including single Pd vacancy, single Te vacancy and double Te vacancies. The HRTEM successfully revealed three types of defects in one magnified image (Figure 3a).…”

Band Energy Modulation in an Fe–Mn–ZnO Nanowire–Nanosheet Catalyst for Efficient Overall Water Splitting

“…This exhaustion contributes to environmental degradation, including greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change . Fossil fuels have remained the dominant source of energy for society and the economy since industrialization despite having harmful impacts on the environment and human health. , In addition, fossil fuels have a high energy density, but burning them emits CO 2 into the atmosphere, illustrating a harmful impression and leading to air pollution, desertification, and ocean acidification. − Curiosity about sustainable energy sources has grown as worries about the effects of our prolonged dependence on fossil fuels grow . To address this concern, we must switch to clean, renewable energy sources like hydrogen .…”