Nanostructured Materials
Synthesis of Nanomaterials for Future Energy Conversion
Controllable synthesis of graphene-coated metal nanoparticles (NPs) presents a major challenge when considering the practical application of these catalysts. Silica can be used as a radical sieve to grow graphene over cobalt nanoparticles via chemical vapor deposition. As-prepared single-layer graphene-coated cobalt NPs with and without N doping (Co@N-SG and Co@SG) exhibit noticeable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity.
The underlying Co affects the electron density of the graphene shell through dipole interaction and the electron density is optimized for the adsorption of catalysis reaction intermediates, hence accelerating OER performance.
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2021, 9, 12060-12073
NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS
Synthesis of New Material for Future Energy Conversion and Storage: Nanostructured porous carbon, metal or metal oxide and chalcogenides for future energy generation application.
Phosphorus-doped ordered mesoporous carbons (POMCs) with different lengths were synthesized using a metal-free nanocasting method of SBA-15 mesoporous silica with different sizes as template and triphenylphosphine and phenol as phosphorus and carbon sources, respectively. The resultant POMC with a small amount of P doping is demonstrated as a metal-free electrode with excellent electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), coupled with much enhanced stability and alcohol tolerance compared to those of platinum via four-electron pathway in alkaline medium. Interestingly, the POMC with short channel length is found to have superior electrochemical performances compared to those with longer sizes.
J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2012, 134, 16127−16130