Regioselective Construction of Chemically Transformed Phosphide–Metal Nanoheterostructures for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Catalysis

Abstract

Engineering nanoheterostructures (NHs) plays a key role in exploring novel or enhanced physicochemical properties of nanocrystals. Despite previously reported synthetic methodologies, selective synthesis of NHs to achieve the anticipated composition and interface is still challenging. Herein, we presented a colloidal strategy for the regioselective construction of typical Ag−Co 2 P NHs with precisely controlled location of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on unique chemically transformed Co 2 P nanorods (NRs) by simply changing the ratio of different surfactants. As a proof-of-concept study, the constructed heterointerface-dependent hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysis was demonstrated. The multiple Ag NP-tipped Co 2 P NRs exhibited the best HER performance, due to their more exposed active sites and the synergistic effect at the interfaces. Our results open up new avenues in rational design and fabrication of NHs with delicate control over the spatial distribution and interfaces between different components.

Precisely synthesized LiF-tipped CoF2-nanorod heterostructures improve energy storage capacities

“…9,10 Although many studies have been conducted on the construction of heterostructures, the controlled synthesis of high-quality heterostructures through colloidal chemistry has always been challenging. 11–13…”

“…9,10 Although many studies have been conducted on the construction of heterostructures, the controlled synthesis of high-quality heterostructures through colloidal chemistry has always been challenging. [11][12][13] It is known that the oxides, suldes, and phosphides of cobalt have been widely used in energy storage devices and researchers have designed some efficient strategies for boosting their performance. Therefore, the development of synthesis strategies for heterostructures was taken widely as a feasible and efficient method, including Co 3 O 4 /CoMoO 4 for lithium-ion batteries, 14 CoO/Co-Cu-S for hybrid supercapacitors, 15 Co 9 S 8 / CoO for lithium sulfur batteries, 16 CoP/Co 2 P for magnesium/ seawater batteries, 17 to name a few, and the hybrid components mentioned above exhibited better performance than their single components.…”

Region-Controlled Framework Interface Mediated Anion Exchange Chemical Transformation to Designed Metal Phosphosulfide Heteronanostructures

“…Zhang’s group converted CuS nanosheets (NSs) into CdS and two crystal-phased Cu 2– x S y Se 1– y /Cu 2– z S/Cu 2– x S y Se 1– y NSs as seeds for the facet-selective growth of CdS and CdSe nanorod arrays to construct three types of hierarchical HNs . In particular, regional tunings enable accurate localization of each domains and impart structural diversities to the original framework, which contribute to further rational construction of increasingly sophisticated architectures. − However, research on region-controlled nanocrystals (NCs) transformation has not been widely explored, probably because they usually deviate from the common thermodynamically favorable processes. − Thus, it is urgent to establish a representative protocol for driving NCs transformation mediated by regional engineering and to explore its potential in diversifying the nanostructure library.…”