General Self‐Template Synthesis of Transition‐Metal Oxide and Chalcogenide Mesoporous Nanotubes with Enhanced Electrochemical Performances

The development of a general strategy for synthesizing hierarchical porous transition‐metal oxide and chalcogenide mesoporous nanotubes, is still highly challenging. Herein we present a facile self‐template strategy to synthesize Co₃O₄ mesoporous nanotubes with outstanding performances in both the electrocatalytic oxygen‐evolution reaction (OER) and Li‐ion battery via the thermal‐oxidation‐induced transformation of cheap and easily‐prepared Co‐Asp(cobalt–aspartic acid) nanowires. The initially formed thin layers on the precursor surfaces, oxygen‐induced outward diffusion of interior precursors, the gas release of organic oxidation, and subsequent Kirkendall effect are important for the appearance of the mesoporous nanotubes. This self‐template strategy of low‐cost precursors is found to be a versatile method to prepare other functional mesoporous nanotubes of transition‐metal oxides and chalcogenides, such as NiO, NiCo₂O₄, Mn₅O₈, CoS₂ and CoSe₂.     

Phase-Selective Syntheses of Cobalt Telluride Nanofleeces for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Catalysts

Cobalt-based nanomaterials have been intensively explored as promising noble-metal-free oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts. Herein, we report phase-selective syntheses of novel hierarchical CoTe₂ and CoTe nanofleeces for efficient OER catalysts. The CoTe₂ nanofleeces exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity and stablity for OER in alkaline media. The CoTe₂ catalyst exhibited superior OER activity compared to the CoTe catalyst, which is comparable to the state-of-the-art RuO₂ catalyst. Density functional theory calculations showed that the binding strength and lateral interaction of the reaction intermediates on CoTe₂ and CoTe are essential for determining the overpotential required under different conditions. This study provides valuable insights for the rational design of noble-metal-free OER catalysts with high performance and low cost by use of Co-based chalcogenides.     

Phase‐Selective Syntheses of Cobalt Telluride Nanofleeces for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Catalysts

Cobalt‐based nanomaterials have been intensively explored as promising noble‐metal‐free oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts. Herein, we report phase‐selective syntheses of novel hierarchical CoTe₂ and CoTe nanofleeces for efficient OER catalysts. The CoTe₂ nanofleeces exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity and stablity for OER in alkaline media. The CoTe₂ catalyst exhibited superior OER activity compared to the CoTe catalyst, which is comparable to the state‐of‐the‐art RuO₂ catalyst. Density functional theory calculations showed that the binding strength and lateral interaction of the reaction intermediates on CoTe₂ and CoTe are essential for determining the overpotential required under different conditions. This study provides valuable insights for the rational design of noble‐metal‐free OER catalysts with high performance and low cost by use of Co‐based chalcogenides.     

二维材料电催化剂的构建及其CO2还原应用的研究进展

近年来,随着温室效应即全球变暖引发的环境问题越来越严峻,因此,CO2转化与再生引起了科学界的广泛关注,其中备受关注的是电催化CO2还原。而二维材料电催化剂可以将CO2还原为高附加值的多碳化合物,但催化剂的合成设计以及理论研究有待更多的研究。从发现石墨烯开始,二维材料的其他超薄层状结构的广泛研究逐渐出现。本文重点综述了石墨烯、MXenes、金属氧化物、二维MOFs和过渡金属硫族化合物等二维材料的构建以及其CO2还原电催化技术应用方面的最新进展,并简要的介绍了二维材料的分类和制备方法。讨论了电催化CO2还原的基本原理以及反应途径。指出了二维材料电催化剂面临的机遇和挑战,旨在对二维材料电催化剂的合成以及应用提供一些新的思路。     

Heterostructures based on transition metal chalcogenides and layered double hydroxides for enhanced water splitting

Heterostructure engineering, as a strategy to overcome the limitation of single component activity, e.g., transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) or layered double hydroxides (LDHs), and improve the electrocatalytic performance of multi-electron charge transfer reactions is reviewed. The main mechanism of heterostructure engineering is briefly described, and selected examples are given to investigate the contribution of synergistic effects of such heterostructure to improve water splitting.     

Synthesis and reactivity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N-bis</Emphasis>(diphenylphosphino)dimethylaniline compounds

New chalcogenides and complexes of N,N-bis(diphenylphosphino)dimethylanilines were prepared by the reaction of N,N-bis(diphenylphosphino)dimethylaniline ligands with aqueous H₂O₂, elemental S and Se and transition metal complexes based on Cu, Pd and Pt. All the new compounds have been characterised by spectroscopy and the molecular structures of the three complexes of N,N-bis(diphenylphosphino)dimethylanilines have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Structure–reactivity relationships in Chevrel phase electrocatalysts for small-molecule reduction reactions

Chevrel phases, M_xMo₆X₈ (M = metal intercalant, X = chalcogen), constitute a family of materials with composition-dependent physicochemical properties that have shown promising electrocatalytic activity for various small-molecule reduction reactions. The wide range of possible compositions among the Chevrel phase family offers the opportunity to tune the local and electronic structure of discrete Mo₆X₈ cluster units within the extended M_xMo₆X₈ framework. Thus, making them an ideal platform for studying structure–function relationships and generating design principles for improved electrocatalytic reactivity. This review summarizes the state of the art in experimental and computational evaluations of Chevrel phases as electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution, CO₂ reduction, and nitrogen reduction reactions. We aim to elucidate the uncharted small-molecule electrochemical reactivity of Chevrel phases as a function of composition and consequently guide the design of promising multinary chalcogenides for energy conversion reactions.     

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.     

Application of metal chalcogenide-based anodic electrocatalyst toward substituting oxygen evolution reaction in water splitting

Electrochemical water splitting for producing hydrogen has received increasing attention. However, the large overpotential of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a bottleneck in water splitting. Exploiting value-added alternative reactions to replace the OER semi-reaction in water splitting can not only produce valuable products at both electrodes, but also reduce the overpotential of water splitting. Recently, metal chalcogenides (sulfides and selenides) have been widely studied in electrocatalytic reactions. This review concentrates on the recent application of metal chalcogenides in value-added anodic reactions by replacing the OER during electrochemical water splitting, including urea oxidation reaction (UOR), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural electrochemical oxidation reaction (HMF-EOR), which provides the guidance for the rational design of advanced metal chalcogenide electrocatalysts in renewable energy.     

Reaction of secondary phosphine chalcogenides with 2,2,2-trichloroacetaldehyde

The nucleophilic addition of secondary phosphine chalcogenides to 2,2,2-trichloroacetaldehyde proceeds under mild noncatalytic conditions (12–25dgC, 15–90 min) with the formation of functional tertiary phosphine chalcogenides, containing hydroxy groups in up to 98% yield. Using the method of concurrent reactions the reactivity of secondary phosphine chalcogenides in this reaction was shown to decrease in the order: (PhCH₂CH₂)₂P(O)H ≫ (PhCH₂CH₂)₂P(S)H > (PhCH₂CH₂)₂P(Se)H, and the secondary bis[2-(2-pyridyl) ethyl]-phosphine oxide was more reactive than bis(2-phenethyl)phosphine oxide.     

Study on Electrocatalytic Activity of Platinum for Hydrogen Oxidation in Acidic Solution by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

The electrocatalytic activity of platinum for hydrogen oxidation in 0.01 M H₂SO₄ + 0.1 MNa₂SO₄ solution has been investigated by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) technique. The cyclic voltammogram (CV), approach curve, area scan imaging and chronoamperometric methods have been used. The results indicate that the imaging capability of the SECM feedback mode can be used more efficiently to visually identify materials' electrocatalytic activity, compared with the approach curve method for identification of the conductive or insulating nature of a surface. The SECM imaging method has demonstrated the effects of Pt substrate potential on the electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrogen under a constant tip potential. It is found that the more positive the Pt substrate potential, the lower the electrocatalytic activity of the Pt. Furthermore, the chronoamperometric results support the variation of the electrocatalytic activity with the Pt substrate potential as well.     

纳米多孔Ni、Ni3S2/Ni复合电极的制备及其电催化析氢性能

采用脱合金化和水热合成的方法制备纳米多孔Ni和纳米多孔Ni₃S₂/Ni复合电极。通过N2吸附-脱附测试、XRD、SEM、TEM等方法表征电极的孔径分布、物相和微观结构。在1 mol·L^-1的NaOH溶液中,运用线性扫描伏安(LSV)曲线、交流阻抗(EIS)谱图、恒电流电解法等测试电极的电催化析氢性能。结果表明:在电流密度为50 mA·cm^-2时,与纳米多孔Ni相比,Ni₃S₂/Ni合金具有更低的析氢过电位以及更高的析氢活性,同时纳米多孔Ni₃S₂/Ni复合电极具有更低表观活化能和电子转移阻抗,进一步明确了过渡金属硫化物对电催化析氢性能的特殊贡献。     

纳米多孔Ni、Ni3S2/Ni复合电极的制备及其电催化析氢性能

采用脱合金化和水热合成的方法制备纳米多孔Ni和纳米多孔Ni₃S₂/Ni复合电极。通过N₂吸附-脱附测试、XRD、SEM、TEM等方法表征电极的孔径分布、物相和微观结构。在1 mol·L^-1的NaOH溶液中,运用线性扫描伏安（LSV）曲线、交流阻抗（EIS）谱图、恒电流电解法等测试电极的电催化析氢性能。结果表明：在电流密度为50 mA·cm^-2时,与纳米多孔Ni相比,Ni₃S₂/Ni合金具有更低的析氢过电位以及更高的析氢活性,同时纳米多孔Ni₃S₂/Ni复合电极具有更低表观活化能和电子转移阻抗,进一步明确了过渡金属硫化物对电催化析氢性能的特殊贡献。     

A convenient and efficient copper-catalyzed synthesis of unsymmetrical and symmetrical diaryl chalcogenides from arylboronic acids in ethanol at room temperature

A simple and convenient approach for the synthesis of unsymmetrical diaryl chalcogenides (Te, Se, and S) has been developed by copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of organoboronic acid with diaryl dichalcogenide in ethanol using NaBH₄ in air or oxygen. The present methodology is highly practical for the synthesis of unsymmetrical diaryl tellurides with various functionalities such as –NO₂, –F, –Br, and –COOH that have been obtained in good to excellent yields. Methodology is also effective for the synthesis of unsymmetrical diaryl selenides and sulfides. Moreover, symmetrical diaryl selenides have also been obtained from arylboronic acids using elemental selenium powder under optimized reaction conditions. The use of NaBH₄ is the key for the development of milder reaction conditions, which enable the construction of unsymmetrical diaryl chalcogenides from boronic acid substrates in ethanol at room temperature.     

First-principles study on Fe2B2 as efficient catalyst for nitrogen reduction reaction

Ammonia (NH₃) is considered an attractive candidate as a clean, highly efficient energy carrier. The electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) can reduce energy input and carbon footprint; therefore, rational design of effective electrocatalysts is essential for achieving high-efficiency electrocatalytic NH₃ synthesis. Herein, we report that the enzymatic mechanism is the more favourable pathway for NRR, due to lower limiting potential (−0.44 V), lower free energy (only 0.02 eV) of the first hydrogenation step (*N–N to *NH–N), and more electron transfer from Fe₂B₂ to the reaction species. In addition, both vacancies and dopants can be helpful in reducing the reaction energy barrier of the potential-determining step. Therefore, we have demonstrated that Fe₂B₂ is a potential new candidate for effective NRR and highlighted its potential for applications in electrocatalytic NH₃ synthesis.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Colloidal Dispersions of Vanadium Tetrasulfide (VS4)

Although many of the layered metal chalcogenides, such as MoS₂, are well‐studied, some other chalcogenides have received less attention by comparison. In particular, there has been an emerging interest in vanadium tetrasulfide (VS₄), which displays useful properties as a component of hybrids. However, the synthetic methods and characteristics of individual VS₄ are not yet well defined, and there is no report on its solution processability. Here we have synthesized VS₄ by a simple and fast direct reaction between elements. Reinvestigation of the VS₄ crystal structure yielded more precise atomic coordinates and interatomic distances, thereby confirming the crystallization of VS₄ in the monoclinic C2/c group and its quasi‐1D chainlike structure. As the chains in VS₄ are only bonded by weak van der Waals forces, we further demonstrate that bulk VS₄ may be ultrasonically dispersed in appropriate solvents to form colloids, similarly to the layered chalcogenides. VS₄ particles in colloids retain their phase identity and rod‐shaped morphology with lengths in the range of hundreds of nanometers. Isopropanol dispersion exhibited the highest concentration and stability, which was achieved owing to the repulsion caused by high negative charges on the edges of the particles.     

Reversible isomerization of a novel [FeFe]‑hydrogenase model complex and water-promoted electrocatalytic proton reduction

μ-(SCH(CH₂CH₃)CH₂S)-Fe₂(CO)₄(κ²-DPPE) (complex 1, DPPE is 1,2-bis (diphenylphosphor) ethane), which can be regarded as a model of the [FeFe]‑hydrogenase active site, was synthesized and characterized. The reversible isomerization of complex 1 under N₂ and CO atmosphere was demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry, IR spectroscopy and ³¹P NMR. Furthermore, we discovered that both the presence of a CO atmosphere and the addition of H₂O can independently trigger the same inversion of configuration of complex 1. The electrocatalytic proton reduction capacity of 1 was evaluated under varying conditions. It was found that addition of a little H₂O to CH₃CN can facilitate its efficiency of electrocatalytic proton reduction. The possible mechanism of transition between axial/basal and dibasal isomers and the function of H₂O in the electrocatalytic reaction are discussed.     

Misfit‐Layered Bi1.85Sr2Co1.85O7.7−δ for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction: Beyond van der Waals Heterostructures

Recent research on stable 2D nanomaterials has led to the discovery of new materials for energy‐conversion and energy‐storage applications. A class of layered heterostructures known as misfit‐layered chalcogenides consists of well‐defined atomic layers and has previously been applied as thermoelectric materials for use as high‐temperature thermoelectric batteries. The performance of such misfit‐layered chalcogenides in electrochemical applications, specifically the hydrogen evolution reaction, is currently unexplored. Herein, a misfit‐layered chalcogenide consisting of CoO₂ layers interleaved with an SrO–BiO–BiO–SrO rock‐salt block and having the formula Bi_1.85Sr₂Co_1.85O_7.7?δ is synthesized and examined for its structural and electrochemical properties. The hydrogen‐evolution performance of misfit‐layered Bi_1.85Sr₂Co_1.85O_7.7?δ, which has an overpotential of 589 mV and a Tafel slope of 51 mV per decade, demonstrates the promising potential of misfit‐layered chalcogenides as electrocatalysts instead of classical carbon.     

Preparation of Porous Three‐Dimensional Quaternary Thioantimonates(III) ACuSb2S4 (A=Rb,Cs) through a Surfactant‐Thermal Method

Two novel porous three‐dimensional (3D) quaternary thioantimonates(III) ACuSb₂S₄ (A=Rb, Cs) were successfully synthesized by employing the neutral surfactant PEG‐400 (PEG=polyethyleneglycol) as reaction media, these are significantly different from the known quaternary A?Cu?Sb?S thioantimonates(III) with two‐dimensional (2D) crystal structures. This is the first time that crystalline quaternary chalcogenides have been prepared in surfactant media. Both experimental and theoretical studies confirm they are semiconductors with narrow band gaps. Our results demonstrated that the surfactant‐thermal strategy could offer a new opportunity to explore novel chalcogenides with diverse crystal structures and interesting physicochemical properties.     

Glucose-derived carbon sphere supported CoP as efficient and stable electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction

Glucose-derived carbon sphere supported cobalt phosphide nanoparticles(Co P/C) were synthesized via a concise two-step method. The electrochemical measurement results indicate that the Co P/C prepared at 900 ℃ presents excellent electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction(HER). The overpotential at a current density of 10 m A cm~(-2) is 108 and 163 mV in 0.5 M H_2SO_4 and 1 M KOH, respectively, and maintains its electrocatalytic durability for at least 10 h. This work supplies a new field to challenge the construction of electrocatalysts for HER through using cost-effective carbon supported transition metal phosphides.