Emerging Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials for Electrocatalysis

Abstract

Over the past few decades, the design and development of advanced electrocatalysts for efficient energy conversion technologies have been subjects of extensive study. With the discovery of graphene, two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have emerged as some of the most promising candidates for heterogeneous electrocatalysts due to their unique physical, chemical, and electronic properties. Here, we review 2D-nanomaterial-based electrocatalysts for selected electrocatalytic processes. We first discuss the unique advances in 2D electrocatalysts based on different compositions and functions followed by specific design principles. Following this overview, we discuss various 2D electrocatalysts for electrocatalytic processes involved in the water cycle, carbon cycle, and nitrogen cycle from their fundamental conception to their functional application. We place a significant emphasis on different engineering strategies for 2D nanomaterials and the influence these strategies have on intrinsic material performance, such as electronic properties and adsorption energetics. Finally, we feature the opportunities and challenges ahead for 2D nanomaterials as efficient electrocatalysts. By considering theoretical calculations, surface characterization, and electrochemical tests, we describe the fundamental relationships between electronic structure, adsorption energy, and apparent activity for a wide variety of 2D electrocatalysts with the goal of providing a better understanding of these emerging nanomaterials at the atomic level.

A Hydrangea‐Like Superstructure of Open Carbon Cages with Hierarchical Porosity and Highly Active Metal Sites

“…[1][2][3] Recently, micro-/nanocarbon cages carrying active sites have attracted considerable attention in electrocatalysis by virtue of their unique structures and functionality. [1][2][3] Recently, micro-/nanocarbon cages carrying active sites have attracted considerable attention in electrocatalysis by virtue of their unique structures and functionality.…”

Electronic Structure Engineering of LiCoO2 toward Enhanced Oxygen Electrocatalysis

“…[27,[29][30][31][32][33][34][35] However, its catalytic activity still needs to be enhanced to meet the requirements of practical applications. [39][40][41][42][43] Moreover, the electronic conductivity of the catalyst system is also a vital factor for fast Developing low-cost and efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction and oxygen reduction reaction is of critical significance to the practical application of some emerging energy storage and conversion devices (e.g., metal-air batteries, water electrolyzers, and fuel cells). [36] Creating defects, modulating the electronic structure, and tuning the lattice strain are significant strategies to enhance the intrinsic activity of catalysts.…”

“…Toward the intelligent design of high performance electrocatalysts, two general strategies (enhancing the intrinsic activity and increasing the number of active sites) have been applied to improve the activity of targeted electrocatalysts. [39][40][41][42][43] Moreover, the electronic conductivity of the catalyst system is also a vital factor for fast Developing low-cost and efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction and oxygen reduction reaction is of critical significance to the practical application of some emerging energy storage and conversion devices (e.g., metal-air batteries, water electrolyzers, and fuel cells). [2,8] Nanostructure engineering by reducing the material's dimension and size is the most commonly deployed approach to increase the exposure of active sites.…”

Wall- and Hybridisation-Selective Synthesis of Nitrogen-Doped Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Thes ynthesis and characterisation of nitrogendoped fullerenes,c arbon nanotubes,g raphene and graphene nanoribbons have revealed that nitrogen-doped carbon nanostructures are promising materials for electrocatalysis, [2-9, 11, 13, 14] energy conversion and storage, [2, 4-7, 10, 13, 14] and sensing, [13,14] among others.T he synthesis of nitrogen-doped nanocarbons still presents challenges for controlling:( i) the inclusion percent and the distribution of nitrogen within the [*] Dr.Supportinginformation and the ORCID identification number(s) for the author(s) of this article can be found under https://doi. Our measurements shed light on the fundamental properties of nitrogen-doped nanocarbons opening the door for developing their potential applications.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Thes ynthesis and characterisation of nitrogendoped fullerenes,c arbon nanotubes,g raphene and graphene nanoribbons have revealed that nitrogen-doped carbon nanostructures are promising materials for electrocatalysis, [2-9, 11, 13, 14] energy conversion and storage, [2, 4-7, 10, 13, 14] and sensing, [13,14] among others.T he synthesis of nitrogen-doped nanocarbons still presents challenges for controlling:( i) the inclusion percent and the distribution of nitrogen within the [*] Dr. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Thes ynthesis and characterisation of nitrogendoped fullerenes,c arbon nanotubes,g raphene and graphene nanoribbons have revealed that nitrogen-doped carbon nanostructures are promising materials for electrocatalysis, [2-9, 11, 13, 14] energy conversion and storage, [2, 4-7, 10, 13, 14] and sensing, [13,14] among others.T he synthesis of nitrogen-doped nanocarbons still presents challenges for controlling:( i) the inclusion percent and the distribution of nitrogen within the [*] Dr.…”