Recent Advances in Transition Metal Phosphide Nanocatalysts for H2 Evolution and CO2 Reduction

Abstract

Green hydrogen energy has captivated researchers and is regarded as a feasible option for future energy-related aspirations. The emerging awareness of renewable energy-driven hydrogen generation and carbon dioxide reduction calls for the use of unconventional schematic tools in the fabrication of nanocatalyst systems. Transition metal phosphides are state-of-art, cost-effective, noble-metal-free materials that have been comprehensively examined for sustainable energy-driven applications. Recent reports on these advanced functional materials have cemented their candidature as high-performance catalytic systems for hydrogen production and for carbon dioxide conversion into value-added chemical feedstock. Bimetallic NiCoP (238.2 mmol g−1 h−1) exhibits top-notch catalytic competence toward photocatalytic HER that reveals the energy-driven application of a pristine class of TMPs, whereas heterostructured Ni2P/CdS was found to be fit for photochemical CO2 reduction, as well as for HER. On the other hand, pristine Ni2P was recently ascertained as an efficient electrocatalytic system for HER and CO2RR applications. A wide array of physicochemical modulations, such as compositional and structural engineering, defect generation, and facet control, have been used for improving the catalytic efficiency of transition metal phosphide nanostructures. In this review, we succinctly discuss the proficiency of transition metal phosphides in green hydrogen production and carbon dioxide conversion via photochemical and electrochemical pathways. We detail the significance of their structural properties and brief the readers about the synthetic advancements without deviating from our goal of summarizing the recent achievements in energy-driven applications.

Hydrogen Energy as Sustainable Energy Resource for Carbon-Neutrality Realization

“…Therefore, the prospects of alkaline electrolyzers for H 2 generation are foreseen to be viable for large-scale applicability of H 2 energy due to the incessant decrease in the levelized cost of electricity. Developing photovoltaic and photochemical innovations are capable of fulfilling the current energy demand due to the advanced solar efficiency. − Similarly, thermochemical water splitting exploiting the redox-active sites of catalytic systems also offers remarkable promise of two-step splitting for the production of oxygen and hydrogen. , Redox splitting cycles via metal oxide-based catalysts have been found to be effective for H 2 generation ascribed to the efficiency higher than 40%. , Budama et al analyzed the scope of thermochemical H 2 generation via ceria-led catalysis. The group revealed the measures to attain benchmark $2/kg H 2 for wide-scale applicability by enhancing the solar field effectiveness, surplus gains from electricity, and lowering input investment.…”

Construction of Petal‐Like CoO/CoP Heterostructures by Oxygen Vacancy Induced P‐doping for Efficient Overall Water Splitting

“…Heterogeneous materials are generally considered as good candidates for bifunctional catalysts because of their synergistic effects and strong interfacial electron transfer properties. [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] Recently, Luo et al prepared Mo-doped Ni 3 S 2 /Ni x P y hollow heterojunction nanorods as bifunctional catalysts. [24] Wu and co-workers also reported CoÀ P@PC by loading CoP on porous P-carbon to electrolyze water under alkaline conditions.…”

“…Bi‐functional catalyst that can simultaneously couples the HER and OER process in a single electrolyte thus provides a more simple and low‐cost approach. Heterogeneous materials are generally considered as good candidates for bifunctional catalysts because of their synergistic effects and strong interfacial electron transfer properties [16–23] . Recently, Luo et al.…”

Superlative Porous Organic Polymers for Photochemical and Electrochemical CO2 Reduction Applications: From Synthesis to Functionality

“…CO 2 RR processes demand the construction of unique catalytic systems that can be more effective as compared to the noble-metal-based catalysts, which are not economical for practical applications. Various classes of catalytic systems have been proposed recently as the replacement of conventional metal catalysts for energy-driven applications such as transition-metal dichalcogenides/phosphides (TMDs/TMPs), , single-atom catalysts (SACs), perovskite materials, , graphene derivatives, layered double hydroxides (LDHs), and metal oxides . In addition, two-dimensional metal-carbonitride (MXene) and metal-boride (MBene) layered materials have attained noteworthy recognition ascribed to their remarkable physicochemical properties which make them propitious for CO 2 RR applications.…”