Mixed bimetallic oxides offer great opportunities for a systematic tuning of electrocatalytic activity and stability. Here, we demonstrate the power of this strategy using well-defined thermally prepared Ir–Ni mixed oxide thin film catalysts for the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) under highly corrosive conditions such as in acidic proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers and photoelectrochemical cells (PEC). Variation of the Ir to Ni ratio resulted in a volcano type OER activity curve with an unprecedented 20-fold improvement in Ir mass-based activity over pure Ir oxide. In situ spectroscopic probing of metal dissolution indicated that, against common views, activity and stability are not directly anticorrelated. To uncover activity and stability controlling parameters, the Ir–Ni mixed thin oxide film catalysts were characterized by a wide array of spectroscopic, microscopic, scattering, and electrochemical techniques in conjunction with DFT theoretical computations. By means of an in...

Molecular insight in structure and activity of highly efficient, low-Ir Ir-Ni oxide catalysts for electrochemical water splitting (OER)

Plasmonic nanomaterials coupled with catalytically active surfaces can provide unique opportunities for various catalysis applications, where surface plasmons produced upon proper light excitation can be adopted to drive and/or facilitate various chemical reactions. A brief introduction to the localized surface plasmon resonance and recent design and fabrication of highly efficient plasmonic nanostructures, including plasmonic metal nanostructures and metal/semiconductor heterostructures is given. Taking advantage of these plasmonic nanostructures, the following highlights summarize recent advances in plasmon-driven photochemical reactions (coupling reactions, O2 dissociation and oxidation reactions, H2 dissociation and hydrogenation reactions, N2 fixation and NH3 decomposition, and CO2 reduction) and plasmon-enhanced electrocatalytic reactions (hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, alcohol oxidation reaction, and CO2 reduction). Theoretical and experimental approaches for understanding the underlying mechanism of surface plasmon are discussed. A proper discussion and perspective of the remaining challenges and future opportunities for plasmonic nanomaterials and plasmon-related chemistry in the field of energy conversion and storage is given in conclusion.

Recent Advances in Plasmonic Nanostructures for Enhanced Photocatalysis and Electrocatalysis.

Metallenes, atomically thin layers composed primarily of under-coordinated metal atoms, have emerged as the newest members in the family of 2D nanomaterials. Furthermore, the remarkable physicochemical properties associated with metallenes coupled with the ease of applying chemical modifications result in exciting opportunities towards catalyst engineering for electrochemical conversions. Especially in recent years, interest around metallenes has grown, evidenced by the surge in available literature. As such, it is imperative to review the findings and present directions for the future. In this review, we highlight the techniques available for deriving metallenes and further discuss the modification strategies commonly employed in devising metallenes to better suit applications in electrocatalysis. We provide a rational understanding of how each strategy drives performance enhancements and present gaps in the knowledge, necessary for further advancements in the field.

Metallenes as functional materials in electrocatalysis.

The urgent demand of scalable hydrogen production has motivated substantial research on low cost, efficient and robust catalysts for water electrolysis. In order to replace noble metals and their derivatives, transition metal (Fe, Co, Ni, Mo, Cu, etc.) selenides have demonstrated promising catalysis on both hydrogen and oxygen evolutions. Very recently, a number of reports have presented a variety of approaches to enhance their electrocatalytic activity. This review summarizes the most recent progress in transition metal selenide electrocatalysts for HER, OER, and overall water splitting. The merits and limitations of metal selenides are also discussed in the aspects of structure and composition. Moreover, we highlight new strategies and future challenges for design and synthesis of high performance electrocatalysts.

Recent progress in transition metal selenide electrocatalysts for water splitting

Electronic structure engineering on two-dimensional (2D) electrocatalytic materials for oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution, and hydrogen evolution reactions

Nonprecious metal's graphene-supported electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction: Fundamentals to applications

N, S Codoped Carbon Matrix‐Encapsulated Co 9 S 8 Nanoparticles as a Highly Efficient and Durable Bifunctional Oxygen Redox Electrocatalyst for Rechargeable Zn–Air Batteries

Graphene-based electrocatalysts have recently attracted considerable research interest because of the abundant choices they present, with tunable and diverse optical, electronic and chemical properties. Furthermore, graphene-based supported materials combine several individual metals to provide a unique platform to create many different electrocatalysts that exhibit new properties for use in different applications. Graphene-based Pt and Pd nanoparticle approaches have been broadly explored and actively pursued to meet those demands to produce excellent electrocatalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction. In this critical review, we highlight the recent developments since 2014 in the controllable synthesis, mechanism, and application of graphene-based Pt and Pd metal electrocatalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction. Finally, some personal intuitions on the main challenges and opportunities in this emerging research field in terms of deep understanding are suggested.

Recent advances in graphene-based platinum and palladium electrocatalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction

Graphene-based nanomaterials are promising bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting (OWS) to produce hydrogen and oxygen as sustainable fuel sources because graphene-based bifunctional electrocatalysts can provide distinct features such as large surface areas, more active sites and facile synthesis of multiple co-doped nanomaterials. Based on this, this review will present recent advancements in the development of various bifunctional graphene-based electrocatalysts for OWS reactions and discuss advancements in the tuning of electronic surface-active sites for the electrolytic splitting of water. In addition, this review will evaluate perspectives and challenges to provide a deep understanding of this emerging field.

Recent Progress in Graphene-Based Nanostructured Electrocatalysts for Overall Water Splitting

Well-connection of micro-platinum and cobalt oxide flower array with optimized water dissociation and hydrogen recombination for efficient overall water splitting

Asad Ali

Papers

Nonprecious metal's graphene-supported electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction: Fundamentals to applications

N, S Codoped Carbon Matrix‐Encapsulated Co 9 S 8 Nanoparticles as a Highly Efficient and Durable Bifunctional Oxygen Redox Electrocatalyst for Rechargeable Zn–Air Batteries

Recent advances in graphene-based platinum and palladium electrocatalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction

Recent Progress in Graphene-Based Nanostructured Electrocatalysts for Overall Water Splitting

Well-connection of micro-platinum and cobalt oxide flower array with optimized water dissociation and hydrogen recombination for efficient overall water splitting