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.     

Progress of transition metal chalcogenides as efficient electrocatalysts for energy conversion

The continuous excessive usage of fossil fuels has resulted in its fast depletion, leading to an escalating energy crisis as well as several environmental issues leading to increased research towards sustainable energy conversion. Electrocatalysts play crucial role in the development of numerous novel energy conversion devices, including fuel cells and solar fuel generators. In particular, high-efficiency and cost-effective catalysts are required for large-scale implementation of these new devices. Over the last few years, transition metal chalcogenides have emerged as highly efficient electrocatalysts for several electrochemical devices such as water splitting, carbon dioxide electroreduction, and, solar energy converters. These transition metal chalcogenides exhibit high electrochemical tunability, abundant active sites, and superior electrical conductivity. Hence, they have been actively explored for various electrocatalytic activities. Herein, we have provided comprehensive review of transition-metal chalcogenide electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution, and carbon dioxide reduction and illustrated structure–property correlation that increases their catalytic activity.     

Anion Modulation of Pt-Group Metals and Electrocatalysis Applications

Pt-group metal (PGM) electrocatalysts with unique electronic structures and irreplaceable comprehensive properties play crucial roles in electrocatalysis. Anion engineering can create a series of PGM compounds (such as RuP₂, IrP₂, PtP₂, RuB₂, Ru₂B₃, RuS₂, etc.) that provide a promising prospect for improving the electrocatalytic performance and use of Pt-group noble metals. This review seeks the electrochemical activity origin of anion-modulated PGM compounds, and systematically analyzes and summarizes their synthetic strategies and energy-relevant applications in electrocatalysis. Orientation towards the sustainable development of nonfossil resources has stimulated a blossoming interest in the design of advanced electrocatalysts for clean energy conversion. The anion-modulated strategy for Pt-group metals (PGMs) by means of anion engineering possesses high flexibility to regulate the electronic structure, providing a promising prospect for constructing electrocatalysts with superior activity and stability to satisfy a future green electrochemical energy conversion system. Based on the previous work of our group and others, this review summarizes the up-to-date progress on anion-modulated PGM compounds (such as RuP₂, IrP₂, PtP₂, RuB₂, Ru₂B₃, RuS₂, etc.) in energy-related electrocatalysis from the origin of their activity and synthetic strategies to electrochemical applications including hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR), N₂ reduction reaction (NRR), and CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR). At the end, the key problems, countermeasures and future development orientations of anion-modulated PGM compounds toward electrocatalytic applications are proposed.     

Hierarchical Hollow Nanoprisms Based on Ultrathin Ni‐Fe Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets with Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity towards Oxygen Evolution

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is involved in various renewable energy systems, such as water‐splitting cells and metal–air batteries. Ni‐Fe layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been reported as promising OER electrocatalysts in alkaline electrolytes. The rational design of advanced nanostructures for Ni‐Fe LDHs is highly desirable to optimize their electrocatalytic performance. Herein, we report a facile self‐templated strategy for the synthesis of novel hierarchical hollow nanoprisms composed of ultrathin Ni‐Fe LDH nanosheets. Tetragonal nanoprisms of nickel precursors were first synthesized as the self‐sacrificing template. Afterwards, these Ni precursors were consumed during the hydrolysis of iron(II) sulfate for the simultaneous growth of a layer of Ni‐Fe LDH nanosheets on the surface. The resultant Ni‐Fe LDH hollow prisms with large surface areas manifest high electrocatalytic activity towards the OER with low overpotential, small Tafel slope, and remarkable stability.     

Active site engineering of single-atom carbonaceous electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction

The electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is the vital process at the cathode of next-generation electrochemical storage and conversion technologies, such as metal–air batteries and fuel cells. Single-metal-atom and nitrogen co-doped carbonaceous electrocatalysts (M–N–C) have emerged as attractive alternatives to noble-metal platinum for catalyzing the kinetically sluggish ORR due to their high electrical conductivity, large surface area, and structural tunability at the atomic level, however, their application is limited by the low intrinsic activity of the metal–nitrogen coordination sites (M–N_x) and inferior site density. In this Perspective, we summarize the recent progress and milestones relating to the active site engineering of single atom carbonous electrocatalysts for enhancing the ORR activity. Particular emphasis is placed on the emerging strategies for regulating the electronic structure of the single metal site and populating the site density. In addition, challenges and perspectives are provided regarding the future development of single atom carbonous electrocatalysts for the ORR and their utilization in practical use.

This Perspective summarizes and highlights the recent progress and milestones relating to the active site engineering of single atom carbonous electrocatalysts for enhancing the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction activity.     

Amorphous Oxide Nanostructures for Advanced Electrocatalysis

Amorphous oxides have attracted special attention as advanced electrocatalysts owing to their unique local structural flexibility and attractive electrocatalytic properties. With abundant randomly oriented bonds and surface-exposed defects (e.g., oxygen vacancies) as active catalytic sites, the adsorption/desorption of reactants can be optimized, leading to superior catalytic activities. Amorphous oxide materials have found wide electrocatalytic applications ranging from hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution to oxygen reduction, CO₂ electroreduction and nitrogen electroreduction. The amorphous oxide electrocatalysts even outperform their crystalline counterparts in terms of electrocatalytic activity and stability. Despite of the merits and achievements for amorphous oxide electrocatalysts, there are still issues and challenges existing for amorphous oxide electrocatalysts. There are rarely reviews specifically focusing on amorphous oxide electrocatalysts and therefore it is imperative to have a comprehensive overview of the research progress and to better understand the achievements and issues with amorphous oxide electrocatalysts. In this minireview, several general preparation methods for amorphous oxides are first introduced. Then, the achievements in amorphous oxides for several important electrocatalytic reactions are summarized. Finally, the challenges and perspectives for the development of amorphous oxide electrocatalysts are outlined.     

Recent advances of two-dimensional CoFe layered-double-hydroxides for electrocatalytic water oxidation

Oxygen evolution reaction(OER) is pivotal to drive green hydrogen generation from water electrolysis, but yet is strictly overshadowed by the sluggish reaction kinetics. Earth-abundant and cut-price transitionmetal compounds, particularly Co Fe layered-double-hydroxides(LDHs), show the distinct superiorities in contrast to noble metals and their derivatives. In this review, we firstly underline their fundamental issues in electrocatalytic water oxidation, including Co Fe LDHs crystal structure, ...     

Peroxidase‐Like Layered Double Hydroxide Nanoflakes for Electrocatalytic Reduction of H2O2

Peroxidase‐like layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoflakes were synthesized directly and facilely by a one‐pot chemical method, hydrothermal treatment. The as‐prepared LDHs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform IR, and cyclic voltammetry. The functionalized LDHs immobilized on the glassy carbon electrode exhibited a well‐defined pair of redox peaks, excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of hydrogen peroxide without inhibition of dissolved oxygen and a higher affinity for H₂O₂, just like the peroxidase. The low apparent Michaelis–Menten constant was only 242 μM. The electrochemical response to H₂O₂ shows a linear range of 12–254 μM with the calculated detection limit of 2.3 μM at a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3. Furthermore, compared with most metal hexacyanoferrates, the peroxidase‐like LDHs are very stable in neutral and alkaline solution. The electrochemical and electrocatalytic behavior of the functionalized LDHs indicate that they may be useful to explore man‐made mimics of enzyme in electrochemical biosensors.     

Recent Approaches to Design Electrocatalysts Based on Metal–Organic Frameworks and Their Derivatives

Rational design and synthesis of efficient electrocatalysts are important constituents in addressing the currently growing provision issues. Typical reactions, which are important to catalyze in this respect, include CO₂ reduction, the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions as well as the oxygen reduction reaction. The most efficient catalysts known up‐to‐date for these processes usually contain expensive and scarce elements, substantially impeding implementation of such electrocatalysts at a larger scale. Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives containing affordable components and building blocks, as an emerging class of porous functional materials, have been recently attracting a great attention thanks to their tunable structure and composition together with high surface area, just to name a few. Up to now, several MOFs and MOF‐derivatives have been reported as electrode materials for the energy‐related electrocatalytic application. In this review article, we summarize and analyze current approaches to design such materials. The design strategies to improve the Faradaic efficiency and selectivity of these catalysts are discussed. Last but not least, we discuss some novel strategies to enhance the conductivity, chemical stability and efficiency of MOF‐derived electrocatalysts.     

Layered Crystalline and Amorphous Platinum Disulfide (PtS2): Contrasting Electrochemistry

Group 6 transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), such as MoS₂ and WS₂ have been extensively studied for various applications while few studies have delved into other TMDs such as platinum dichalcogenides. In this work, layered crystalline and amorphous platinum disulfide (PtS₂) were synthesized, characterised and their fundamental electrochemical properties were investigated. Both materials exhibited inherent oxidation and reduction reactions which would limit their operating potential window for sensing applications. Amorphous phase materials are considered to be promising electrocatalysts due to the porous, and nanostructured morphology with high concentration of unsaturated active sites. The electrocatalytic performances towards oxygen reduction (ORR) and hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) of crystalline and amorphous PtS₂ were analysed. Amorphous PtS₂ was found to exhibit superior electrocatalytic performances towards ORR and HER as compared to crystalline PtS₂. For HER, amorphous and crystalline PtS₂ have overpotential values of 0.30 V and 0.70 V (vs. RHE) at current density of 10 mA cm⁻², respectively. The influence of electrochemical reduction pre-treatment on their catalytic behaviours was also investigated. Electrochemical reduction pre-treatment on both crystalline and amorphous PtS₂ removed the oxidized sulfate groups and increased the proportion of Pt⁰ oxidation state which exposed more catalytic sites. As such, these materials were activated and displayed improved ORR and HER performances. Electrochemically reduced amorphous PtS₂ outperformed the untreated counterparts and exhibited the best HER performance with overpotential of 0.17 V (vs. RHE) at current density of −10 mA cm⁻². These findings provide insights into the electrochemical properties of noble metal PtS₂ in both crystalline and amorphous states which can be activated by electrochemical reduction pre-treatment.     

Electrochemical Preparation of N‐Doped Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles with High Electrocatalytic Activity for the Oxygen‐Reduction Reaction

Nitrogen‐doped CoO (N‐CoO) nanoparticles with high electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen‐reduction reaction (ORR) were fabricated by electrochemical reduction of CoCl₂ in acetonitrile solution at cathodic potentials. The initially generated, highly reactive nitrogen‐doped Co nanoparticles were readily oxidized to N‐CoO nanoparticles in air. In contrast to their N‐free counterparts (CoO or Co₃O₄), N‐CoO nanoparticles with a N content of about 4.6 % exhibit remarkable ORR electrocatalytic activity, stability, and immunity to methanol crossover in an alkaline medium. The Co?N_x active sites in the CoO nanoparticles are held responsible for the high ORR activity. This work opens a new path for the preparation of nitrogen‐doped transition metal oxide nanomaterials, which are promising electrocatalysts for fuel cells.     

氢氧化镍薄膜制备及析氧电催化活性评价的综合实验设计

设计一个包括氢氧化镍薄膜制备、铁掺杂以及析氧电催化活性评价的系统性应用化学综合实验。通过开展本实验,学生能够(1)学习利用电化学沉积方法制备电催化剂薄膜的技术;(2)初步掌握利用循环伏安、塔菲尔曲线等电化学测试技术对析氧电催化剂的活性进行评价的方法;(3)认识到痕量的杂质元素(铁)将对物质性能(析氧电催化活性)产生显著影响的客观事实。本实验将引导学生关注绿色可再生能源的开发及应用,有利于学生化学应用能力的培养。     

Promoted Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation in Fe-Ni Layered Double Hydroxide Arrays Coupled to Carbon Nanofibers: The Role of Phosphorus Doping

The key to bringing the electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation from conception to application lies in the development of high-efficiency, cost-effective electrocatalysts. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), also known as hydrotalcites, are promising electrocatalysts for water splitting due to multiple metal centers and large surface areas. However, their activities in the electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation are unsatisfactory. Now, a simple and effective way of phosphorus doping is presented to regulate the charge distribution in LDHs, thus promoting the nitrogen adsorption and activation. The P-doped LDHs are further coupled to a self-supported, conductive matrix, that is, a carbon nanofibrous membrane, which prevents their aggregation as well as ensuring rapid charge transfer at the interface. By this strategy, decent ammonia yield (1.72×10⁻¹⁰ mol s⁻¹ cm⁻²) and Faradaic efficiency (23 %) are delivered at −0.5 V vs. RHE in 0.1 m Na₂SO₄.     

Promoted Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation in Fe‐Ni Layered Double Hydroxide Arrays Coupled to Carbon Nanofibers: The Role of Phosphorus Doping

The key to bringing the electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation from conception to application lies in the development of high‐efficiency, cost‐effective electrocatalysts. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), also known as hydrotalcites, are promising electrocatalysts for water splitting due to multiple metal centers and large surface areas. However, their activities in the electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation are unsatisfactory. Now, a simple and effective way of phosphorus doping is presented to regulate the charge distribution in LDHs, thus promoting the nitrogen adsorption and activation. The P‐doped LDHs are further coupled to a self‐supported, conductive matrix, that is, a carbon nanofibrous membrane, which prevents their aggregation as well as ensuring rapid charge transfer at the interface. By this strategy, decent ammonia yield (1.72×10^?10 mol s^?1 cm^?2) and Faradaic efficiency (23 %) are delivered at ?0.5 V vs. RHE in 0.1 m Na₂SO₄.     

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.     

电化学形成的PtFeNi合金与含缺陷NiFe LDHs载体之间的电荷转移实现高效水分解

氢气是一种能量密度高,可完全燃烧的清洁能源.发展绿色制氢技术对于解决全球环境污染,二氧化碳排放等环境问题具有重要意义.电化学水分解被认为是一种清洁高效的制氢手段,可自恰于可再生能源的波动性,具有效率高、响应快、氢气纯度高等优点.然而,由于电化学反应过电位大及动力学缓慢的原因,驱动电化学水分解的能量消耗巨大.因此,开发高...     

The Effect of Interlayer Anion Grafting on Water Oxidation Electrocatalysis: A Comparative Study of Ni- and Co-Based Brucite-Type Layered Hydroxides,Layered Double Hydroxides and Hydroxynitrate Salts

The urge for carbon-neutral green energy conversion and storage technologies has invoked the resurgence of interest in applying brucite-type materials as low-cost oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts in basic media. Transition metal layered hydroxides belonging to the brucite-type structure family have been shown to display remarkable electrochemical activity. Recent studies on the earth-abundant Fe³⁺ containing mössbauerite and Fe³⁺ rich Co−Fe layered oxyhydroxide carbonates have suggested that grafted interlayer anions might play a key role in OER catalysis. To probe the effect of such interlayer anion grafting in brucite-like layered hydroxides, we report here a systematic study on the electrocatalytic performance of three distinct Ni and Co brucite-type layered structures, namely, (i) brucite-type M(OH)₂ without any interlayer anions, (ii) LDHs with free interlayer anions, and (iii) hydroxynitrate salts with grafted interlayer anions. The electrochemical results indeed show that grafting has an evident impact on the electronic structure and the observed OER activity. Ni- and Co-hydroxynitrate salts with grafted anions display notably earlier formations of the electrocatalytically active species. Particularly Co-hydroxynitrate salts exhibit lower overpotentials at 10 mA cm⁻² (η=0.34 V) and medium current densities of 100 mA cm⁻² (η=0.40 V) compared to the corresponding brucite-type hydroxides and LDH materials.     

金属钯插层类水滑石的制备及其电催化乙醇的性能研究

高性能的电催化剂对直接燃料电池的商业化应用有着至关重要的作用,目前的阳极材料还存在活性低、易中毒、成本高等问题。本研究以层状双氢氧化物(layered double hydroxides, LDHs)为载体通过浸渍法制备了新型纳米钯(Pd)催化剂,并通过X射线衍射仪、扫描电子显微镜、电感耦合等离子体质谱仪、能谱仪、透射电子显微镜、循环伏安法测试、计时电流测试和电化学阻抗等方法对催化剂的结构和电催化性能进行了研究。结果表明,新制备的Pd/Mg-Al-LDHs仍然保持着LDHs的层状结构,循环伏安测试表明在碱性条件下,Pd/Mg-Al-LDHs比Pd/C有更好的电催化乙醇活性和抗中间产物中毒性能,且乙醇浓度、扫描速率和温度等因素对峰电流有着直接影响。计时电流测试表明在电催化乙醇的过程中Pd/Mg-Al-LDHs比Pd/C拥有更高的电催化活性和稳定性。电化学阻抗测试表明,Pd插层可显著改善Mg-Al-LDHs的导电性,并降低电催化过程中电荷转移阻力。     

Oxygen Evolution Reaction on Nanoporous Gold Modified with Ir and Pt: Synergistic Electrocatalysis between Structure and Composition

Active oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalysts for water splitting have received great attention because of their importance in the utilization of renewable energy sources. Here, the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction activities of a nanoporous gold (NPG)‐based electrode in acidic media are investigated. The dependence of the oxygen evolution reaction activity on the NPG surface area shows that the large electrochemical surface areas of the NPG are effectively utilized to enhance electrocatalytic activity. The NPG surfaces are modified with Pt using atomic layer electrodeposition methods, and the resulting NPG@Pt exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic activities compared to those of the NPG and flat Pt electrodes. Ir‐modified NPG (NPG@Ir) electrodes are prepared by spontaneous exchange of Ir on NPG surfaces and exhibit enhanced electrocatalytic activity compared to that of flat Ir surfaces. The modification of NPG@Pt with Ir results in NPG@Pt/Ir electrodes, and their electrocatalytic activities exceed those of NPG@Ir. The enhanced oxygen evolution reaction activity on NPG@Pt/Ir over that on NPG@Ir surfaces is examined by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The oxygen evolution reaction activity on NPG@Pt/Ir surfaces demonstrates synergistic electrocatalysis between the nanoporous surface structure and active electrocatalytic components.     

Metal–Organic Frameworks Based Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

In view of the clean and sustainable energy, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) based materials, including pristine MOFs, MOF composites, and their derivatives are emerging as unique electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Thanks to their tunable compositions and diverse structures, efficient MOF-based materials provide new opportunities to accelerate the sluggish ORR at the cathode in fuel cells and metal–air batteries. This Minireview first provides some introduction of ORR and MOFs, followed by the classification of MOF-based electrocatalysts towards ORR. Recent breakthroughs in engineering MOF-based ORR electrocatalysts are highlighted with an emphasis on synthesis strategy, component, morphology, structure, electrocatalytic performance, and reaction mechanism. Finally, some current challenges and future perspectives for MOF-based ORR electrocatalysts are also discussed.