Noble Metal‐Free CoS_x/NiS_x Heterojunction for Photo‐Assisted Methanol Electrooxidation

Abstract

Designing noble metal‐free anode catalysts for photo‐assisted direct methanol fuels cells still remains a significant challenge. In this report, CoSx/NiSx heterojunction was prepared by a two‐step method containing room temperature coordination reaction and calcination using L‐cysteine as both organic ligands and sulfur sources. The as‐prepared CoSx/NiSx heterojunction displayed a significant enhancement in the methanol electrocatalytic oxidation activity under the light irradiation by combining their electrocatalytic and photocatalytic properties. The photocatalytic process was discussed in detail to explore the photo‐assisted enhancement mechanism. The electrochemical and photochemical results indicated that, the synergistic effect of electro‐ and photocatalytic reaction contributes to the enhanced catalytic performance. This work provides a new paradigm to improve the methanol electrocatalytic activity of noble metal‐free semiconductor catalyst. Our proposed noble metal‐free CoSx/NiSx heterojunction will have potential use in photo‐assisted direct methanol fuel cells.

Enantioselective alkoxylation with electrogenerated chiral carbocation intermediates

“…The direct participation of copper in the form of an inner-sphere Cu(III) species such as complex I (Fig. 3A), though cannot be completely excluded (26), should be neglectable in the present electrochemical setting (27)(28)(29). The possible involvement of an SN2 process via a triflate intermediate II, similar to those proposed in Jørgensen's study (20), can also be discounted by considering the virtually unchanged reaction outcomes under triflate-free conditions (Fig.…”

Seaweed-like phosphates/MOF heterostructures as a synergistic electrocatalyst for alcohol oxidation

“…In this regard, more economical and abundant materials constructed from transition metals are emerging as alternative catalysts to noble metal counterparts. 6–8…”