泡沫铜基底原位生长的铜基导电金属有机框架作为双功能电催化剂

以泡沫铜为基底生长氢氧化铜纳米线,通过原位转化合成二维导电金属有机框架(MOF)材料Cu_3HITP_2(HITP=2,3,6,7,10,11-六氨基三亚苯)作为双功能催化剂,可直接用作析氧及氧还原反应的工作电极,而无需使用额外的基底或粘合剂,且无需后续热处理。研究发现以氢氧化铜纳米线为模板的Cu_3HITP_2表现出了更大的电化学比表面积,这种新型的电极可在碱性溶液(0.1和1.0 mol·L~(-1) KOH)中可以稳定运行,析氧反应中在电流密度达到10 mA·cm~(-2)时的过电位仅为1.53 V,超越了商业二氧化钌的催化性能。此外,该催化剂在氧还原反应中的半波电位达到0.75 V,优于大多数MOF材料。     

Bio-inspired Design of Bidirectional Oxygen Reduction and Oxygen Evolution Reaction Molecular Electrocatalysts

The proper utilization of renewable energy sources has emerged as a major challenge in our pursuit of a sustainable and carbon-neutral energy landscape. Small molecule activation is a key component for proper utilization of renewable energy resources, where O₂/H₂O redox couple is reckoned to be a potential game changer. In this regard, electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have become the prime interest of catalyst designers. Typically, these ORR and OER electrocatalysts are developed distinctly; however, very soon, the requirement of a bidirectional ORR/OER electrocatalyst becomes obvious for practical applicability and rapid energy transduction purposes. A bidirectional catalyst is defined as a catalyst capable of driving a redox reaction in opposing directions. This review has portrayed the development of enzyme structure-inspired design of molecular bidirectional ORR/OER catalysts. The strategic incorporation of secondary and outer coordination sphere features has significantly enhanced the performance of these catalysts, which can be monitored via the key catalytic parameters. These bifunctional OER/ORR catalysts are vital for metal-air battery and fuel cell applications and appropriately poised to lay the foundation for an efficient, economical, and eco-friendly pathway for sustainable energy usage with the rational assembly of energy converting and storage devices.     

FeNi Alloy Nanoparticles Encapsulated in Carbon Shells Supported on N-Doped Graphene-Like Carbon as Efficient and Stable Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysts

The development of cost-effective and durable oxygen electrocatalysts remains highly critical but challenging for energy conversion and storage devices. Herein, a novel FeNi alloy nanoparticle core encapsulated in carbon shells supported on a N-enriched graphene-like carbon matrix (denoted as FeNi@C/NG) was constructed by facile pyrolyzing the mixture of metal salts, glucose, and dicyandiamide. The in situ pyrolysis of dicyandiamide in the presence of glucose plays a significant effect on the fabrication of the porous FeNi@C/NG with a high content of doped N and large specific surface area. The optimized FeNi@C/NG catalyst displays not only a superior catalytic performance for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR, with an onset potential of 1.0 V and half-wave potential of 0.84 V) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER, the potential at 10 mA cm⁻² is 1.66 V) simultaneously in alkaline, but also outstanding long-term cycling durability. The excellent bifunctional ORR/OER electrocatalytic performance is ascribed to the synergism of the carbon shell and FeNi alloy core together with the high-content of nitrogen doped on the large specific surface area graphene-like carbon.     

Recent advances in energy chemistry of precious-metal-free catalysts for oxygen electrocatalysis

The rational design and effective construction of precious-metal-free materials for OER and ORR, respectively, are reviewed in the respects of electronic structure regulation, nanostructure tailor, and freestanding electrode fabrication. This affords fresh concepts for oxygen electrocatalysis and is also enlightening for other energy catalysis with targeted optimization.     

A Bifunctional Hybrid Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction and Oxygen Evolution Reactions: Nano-Co3O4-Deposited La0.5Sr0.5MnO3 via Infiltration

For rechargeable metal–air batteries, which are a promising energy storage device for renewable and sustainable energy technologies, the development of cost-effective electrocatalysts with effective bifunctional activity for both oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) has been a challenging task. To realize highly effective ORR and OER electrocatalysts, we present a hybrid catalyst, Co₃O₄-infiltrated La_0.5Sr_0.5MnO_3-δ (LSM@Co₃O₄), synthesized using an electrospray and infiltration technique. This study expands the scope of the infiltration technique by depositing ~18 nm nanoparticles on unprecedented ~70 nm nano-scaffolds. The hybrid LSM@Co₃O₄ catalyst exhibits high catalytic activities for both ORR and OER (~7 times, ~1.5 times, and ~1.6 times higher than LSM, Co₃O₄, and IrO₂, respectively) in terms of onset potential and limiting current density. Moreover, with the LSM@Co₃O₄, the number of electrons transferred reaches four, indicating that the catalyst is effective in the reduction reaction of O₂ via a direct four-electron pathway. The study demonstrates that hybrid catalysts are a promising approach for oxygen electrocatalysts for renewable and sustainable energy devices.     

Theoretical designs of ORR/OER single-atom catalysts TM@Ti2CT2 (T = O,S, Cl)

Driven by the goal of establishing a fossil-fuel-free and nuclear-power-free economy based on renewable energy, metal-air batteries are regarded as promising energy conversion and storage devices. Developing efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)/oxygen evolution reaction (OER) bifunctional electrocatalysts for the air electrode of metal-air batteries is becoming increasingly important. In this work, 36 transition metal (TM) single-atom catalysts are designed based on MXenes Ti₂CT₂ with different surface terminal atoms (T = O, S, Cl), and their ORR/OER catalytic activity and stability are evaluated by the density functional theory. Ni@Ti₂CO₂, Pd@Ti₂CS₂, and Co@Ti₂CCl₂ are found to exhibit good catalytic activity with ORR/OER overpotentials of .54 V/.62 V, .59 V/.29 V, .44 V/.40 V. The aggregation behavior of three catalysts is estimated by comparing the average binding energy of one, two, three, and four TM atoms anchored on Ti₂CT₂. This work cannot only provide a theoretical guide to develop bifunctional single-atom catalysts, but also help us understand the effect of terminal atoms on the electronic structures and catalytic activity of TM@Ti₂CT₂.     

Bioinspired Transition-Metal Complexes as Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is one of the most important reactions in life processes and energy conversion systems. To alleviate global warming and the energy crisis, the development of high-performance electrocatalysts for the ORR for application in energy conversion and storage devices such as metal–air batteries and fuel cells is highly desirable. Inspired by the biological oxygen activation/reduction process associated with heme- and multicopper-containing metalloenzymes, iron and copper-based transition-metal complexes have been extensively explored as ORR electrocatalysts. Herein, an outline into recent progress on non-precious-metal electrocatalysts for the ORR is provided; these electrocatalysts do not require pyrolysis treatment, which is regarded as desirable from the viewpoint of bioinspired molecular catalyst design, focusing on iron/cobalt macrocycles (porphyrins, phthalocyanines, and corroles) and copper complexes in which the ORR activity is tuned by ligand variation/substitution, the method of catalyst immobilization, and the underlying supporting materials. Current challenges and exciting imminent developments in bioinspired ORR electrocatalysts are summarized and proposed.     

Recent Progress on Nickel-Based Oxide/(Oxy)Hydroxide Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Developing clean and sustainable energies as alternatives to fossil fuels is in strong demand within modern society. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the efficiency-limiting process in plenty of key renewable energy systems, such as electrochemical water splitting and rechargeable metal–air batteries. In this regard, ongoing efforts have been devoted to seeking high-performance electrocatalysts for enhanced energy conversion efficiency. Apart from traditional precious-metal-based catalysts, nickel-based compounds are the most promising earth-abundant OER catalysts, attracting ever-increasing interest due to high activity and stability. In this review, the recent progress on nickel-based oxide and (oxy)hydroxide composites for water oxidation catalysis in terms of materials design/synthesis and electrochemical performance is summarized. Some underlying mechanisms to profoundly understand the catalytic active sites are also highlighted. In addition, the future research trends and perspectives on the development of Ni-based OER electrocatalysts are discussed.     

Electrocatalysts Based on Transition Metal Borides and Borates for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Electrochemical water splitting is a clean and sustainable process for hydrogen production on a large scale as the electrical power required can be obtained from various renewable energy resources. The key challenge in electrochemical water splitting process is to develop low-cost electrocatalysts with high catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on the cathode and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on the anode. OER is the most important half-reaction involved in water splitting, which has been extensively studied since the last century and a large amount of electrocatalysts including noble and non-noble metal-based materials have been developed. Among them, transition metal borides and borates (TMBs)-based compounds with various structures have attracted increasing attention owing to their excellent OER performance. In recent years, many efforts have been devoted to exploring the OER mechanism of TMBs and to improving the OER activity and stability of TMBs. In this review, recent research progress made in TMBs as efficient electrocatalysts for OER is summarized. The chemical properties, synthetic methodologies, catalytic performance evaluation, and improvement strategy of TMBs as OER electrocatalysts are discussed. The electrochemistry fundamentals of OER are first introduced in brief, followed by a summary of the preparation and performance of TMBs-based OER electrocatalysts. Finally, current challenges and future directions for TMBs-based OER electrocatalysts are discussed.     

Recent advances of layered double hydroxides–based bifunctional electrocatalysts for ORR and OER

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have attracted increasing attention for the sake of clean, renewable, and efficient energy technologies in recent years. The design of ORR/OER bifunctional electrocatalysts is a challenging task in the promotion of highly efficient rechargeable metal-air batteries as well as regenerative fuel cells. Owing to the wide adaptability of different types and ratios of metals in the interlayer space as well as the adjustable interlayer distance, composite materials with layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and their derivatives have recently been registered as electrode materials and catalysts supports for various electrochemical reactions. This study examines the recent development of bifunctional electrocatalysts based on LDHs for ORR/OER to expand the application of LDHs in the field of energy storage and conversion. Various bifunctional electrocatalysts associated with LDHs are discussed in detail to improve their performance. Finally, existing problems and future prospects for improving the performance of LDHs bifunctional electrocatalysts are proposed.     

A Strongly Coupled Graphene and FeNi Double Hydroxide Hybrid as an Excellent Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Cost‐effective electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are critical to energy conversion and storage processes. A novel strategy is used to synthesize a non‐noble‐metal‐based electrocatalyst of the OER by finely combining layered FeNi double hydroxide that is catalytically active and electric conducting graphene sheets, taking advantage of the electrostatic attraction between the two positively charged nanosheets. The synergy between the catalytic activity of the double hydroxide and the enhanced electron transport arising from the graphene resulted in superior electrocatalytic properties of the FeNi‐GO hybrids for the OER with overpotentials as low as 0.21 V, which was further reduced to 0.195 V after the reduction treatment. Moreover, the turnover frequency at the overpotential of 0.3 V has reached 1 s^?1, which is much higher than those previously reported for non‐noble‐metal‐based electrocatalysts.     

A Universal and Facile Way for the Development of Superior Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction and Evolution Reactions Utilizing the Synergistic Effect

Increasing energy demands have stimulated intense research activities on reversible electrochemical conversion and storage systems with high efficiency, low cost, and environmental benignity. It is highly challenging but desirable to develop efficient bifunctional catalysts for both the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). A universal and facile method for the development of bifunctional electrocatalysts with outstanding electrocatalytic activity for both the ORR and OER in alkaline medium is reported. A mixture of Pt/C catalyst with superior ORR activity and a perovskite oxide based catalyst with outstanding OER activity was employed in appropriate ratios, and prepared by simple ultrasonic mixing. Nanosized platinum particles with a wide range of platinum to oxide mass ratios was realized easily in this way. The as‐formed Pt/C–oxide composites showed better ORR activity than a single Pt/C catalyst and better OER activity than a single oxide to bring about much improved bifunctionality (ΔE is only ≈0.8 V for Pt/C–BSCF; BSCF=Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3?δ), due to the synergistic effect. The electronic transfer mechanism and the rate‐determining step and spillover mechanism were two possible origins of such a synergistic effect. Additionally, the phenomenon was found to be universal, although the best performance could be reached at different platinum to oxide mass ratios for different oxide catalysts. This work thus provides an innovative strategy for the development of new bifunctional electrocatalysts with wide application potentials in high‐energy and efficient electrochemical energy storage and conversion.     

石墨烯基催化剂的设计合成与电催化应用

为了解决能源匮乏和环境污染的问题,研究人员正致力于寻找清洁可持续的新能源。 其中,氧气还原、氧气析出、析氢反应等是紧密联系新型清洁能源获取和存贮的重要电化学反应。 为了提高其能量转化效率,电催化剂(如碳载铂Pt/C)被广泛地用于降低其反应活化能、提高能量转化效率。 近年来,石墨烯作为一种具有高比表面积和优异导电性的二维碳材料受到了广泛关注。 通过表面杂原子掺杂、缺陷调控和引入催化活性组分等方式,获得了催化性能与贵金属催化剂相媲美,且低价格和高稳定性的非贵金属石墨烯基催化材料。 针对氧气还原、氧气析出和析氢反应在燃料电池、金属-空气电池和电催化水分解中的应用,本文概括综述了通过表/界面结构性质调控提高石墨烯电催化性能和稳定性,获得具有双功能或复合催化性能的石墨烯基催化剂的最新研究进展。 最后总结和展望了亟待解决的问题及未来的发展趋势。     

Co@Co3O4 Encapsulated in Carbon Nanotube‐Grafted Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Polyhedra as an Advanced Bifunctional Oxygen Electrode

Efficient reversible oxygen electrodes for both the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are vitally important for various energy conversion devices, such as regenerative fuel cells and metal–air batteries. However, realization of such electrodes is impeded by insufficient activity and instability of electrocatalysts for both water splitting and oxygen reduction. We report highly active bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen electrodes comprising core–shell Co@Co₃O₄ nanoparticles embedded in CNT‐grafted N‐doped carbon‐polyhedra obtained by the pyrolysis of cobalt metal–organic framework (ZIF‐67) in a reductive H₂ atmosphere and subsequent controlled oxidative calcination. The catalysts afford 0.85 V reversible overvoltage in 0.1 m KOH, surpassing Pt/C, IrO₂, and RuO₂ and thus ranking them among one of the best non‐precious‐metal electrocatalysts for reversible oxygen electrodes.     

Application of In Situ Techniques for the Characterization of NiFe‐Based Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) Electrocatalysts

Developing high‐efficiency and affordable electrocatalysts for the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remains a crucial bottleneck on the way to the practical applications of rechargeable energy storage technologies and water splitting for producing clean fuel (H₂). In recent years, NiFe‐based materials have proven to be excellent electrocatalysts for OER. Understanding the characteristics that affect OER activity and determining the OER mechanism are of vital importance for the development of OER electrocatalysts. Therefore, in situ characterization techniques performed under OER conditions are urgently needed to monitor the key intermediates together with identifying the OER active centers and phases. In this Minireview, recent advances regarding in situ techniques for the characterization of NiFe‐based electrocatalysts are thoroughly summarized, including Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, ambient pressure X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy, Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, differential electrochemical mass spectrometry, and surface interrogation scanning electrochemical microscopy. The results from these in situ measurements not only reveal the structural transformation and the progressive oxidation of the catalytic species under OER conditions, but also disclose the crucial role of Ni and Fe during the OER. Finally, the need for developing new in situ techniques and theoretical investigations is discussed to better understand the OER mechanism and design promising OER electrocatalysts.     

Synthesis of Nanoporous Carbon–Cobalt‐Oxide Hybrid Electrocatalysts by Thermal Conversion of Metal–Organic Frameworks

Nanoporous carbon–cobalt‐oxide hybrid materials are prepared by a simple, two‐step, thermal conversion of a cobalt‐based metal–organic framework (zeolitic imidazolate framework‐9, ZIF‐9). ZIF‐9 is carbonized in an inert atmosphere to form nanoporous carbon–metallic‐cobalt materials, followed by the subsequent thermal oxidation in air, yielding nanoporous carbon–cobalt‐oxide hybrids. The resulting hybrid materials are evaluated as electrocatalysts for the oxygen‐reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen‐evolution reaction (OER) in a KOH electrolyte solution. The hybrid materials exhibit similar catalytic activity in the ORR to the benchmark, commercial, Pt/carbon black catalyst, and show better catalytic activity for the OER than the Pt‐based catalyst.     

Carbon‐Based Metal‐Free Catalysts for Electrocatalysis beyond the ORR

Besides their use in fuel cells for energy conversion through the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), carbon‐based metal‐free catalysts have also been demonstrated to be promising alternatives to noble‐metal/metal oxide catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in metal–air batteries for energy storage and for the splitting of water to produce hydrogen fuels through the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). This Review focuses on recent progress in the development of carbon‐based metal‐free catalysts for the OER and HER, along with challenges and perspectives in the emerging field of metal‐free electrocatalysis.     

Exploring the Influence of Halogen Coordination Effect of Stable Bimetallic MOFs on Oxygen Evolution Reaction

The energy crisis and environmental pollution have forced scientists to explore alternative energy conversion and storage devices. The anodic reactions of these devices are all oxygen evolution reactions (OER), so the development of efficient OER electrocatalysts is of great significance. At the same time, understanding the reaction mechanism of OER is conducive to the rational design of efficient OER electrocatalysts. In general, catalytic active centers play a direct role in OER performance. In this paper, a series of stable bimetallic metal–organic frameworks (MOFs, named as Fe₃-Co_n-X₂, n=2, 3 and X=F, Cl, Br) with similar structure were synthesized by changing the halogen coordinated with the cobalt metal active center, aiming to investigate the influence of halogen substitution effect on OER performance. It was found that the OER activity of Fe₃-Co₃-F₂ is much better than Fe₃-Co₂-Cl₂ and Fe₃-Co₂-Br₂, indicating that the regulation of the electronegativity change of the coordination halogen atom can regulate the coordination electron structure of the metal active center, thereby achieving effective regulation of OER performance.     

Exploring the Performance Improvement of the Oxygen Evolution Reaction in a Stable Bimetal–Organic Framework System

Despite wide applications of bimetallic electrocatalysis in oxygen evolution reaction (OER) owing to their superior performance, the origin of the improved performance remains elusive. The underlying mechanism was explored by designing and synthesizing a series of stable metal–organic frameworks (MOFs: NNU‐21–24 ) based on trinuclear metal carboxylate clusters and tridentate carboxylate ligands. Among the examined stable MOFs, NNU‐23 exhibits the best OER performance; particularly, compared with monometallic MOFs, all the bimetallic MOFs display improved OER activity. DFT calculations and experimental results demonstrate that introduction of the second metal atom can improve the activity of the original atom. The proposed model of bimetallic electrocatalysts affecting their OER performance can facilitate design of efficient bimetallic catalysts for energy storage and conversion, and investigation of the related catalytic mechanisms.     

Low-temperature plasma technology for electrocatalysis

The latest applications of plasma in energy storage and conversion are summarized here, including using it as the preparation and modification technology of the various electrocatalysts and the usage of it as the synthesis technology directly. Also, the challenges and outlook of plasma technology in energy storage and conversion were summarized, and the solutions and prospected its development in the future were present.