Wuhan University of Technology

About: Wuhan University of Technology is a education organization based out in Wuhan, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Microstructure & Photocatalysis. The organization has 40384 authors who have published 36724 publications receiving 575695 citations. The organization is also known as: WUT.

Single-Atom Catalysts for Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution Reaction: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

Abstract: Hydrogen, a renewable and outstanding energy carrier with zero carbon dioxide emission, is regarded as the best alternative to fossil fuels. The most preferred route to large-scale production of hydrogen is by water electrolysis from the intermittent sources (e.g., wind, solar, hydro, and tidal energy). However, the efficiency of water electrolysis is very much dependent on the activity of electrocatalysts. Thus, designing high-effective, stable, and cheap materials for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) could have a substantial impact on renewable energy technologies. Recently, single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as a new frontier in catalysis science, because SACs have maximum atom-utilization efficiency and excellent catalytic reaction activity. Various synthesis methods and analytical techniques have been adopted to prepare and characterize these SACs. In this review, we discuss recent progress on SACs synthesis, characterization methods, and their catalytic applications. Particularly, we highlight their unique electrochemical characteristics toward HER. Finally, the current key challenges in SACs for HER are pointed out and some potential directions are proposed as well.

Hierarchical porous C/MnO2 composite hollow microspheres with enhanced supercapacitor performance

Abstract: The successful application of supercapacitors in energy conversion and storage hinges on the development of highly efficient and stable electrode materials. Herein, a composite of manganese oxide (MnO2) and N-doped hollow carbon spheres (NHCSs) was fabricated by a facile two-step process for supercapacitor electrodes. The MnO2–NHCS composite had a NHCS core and a shell composed of hierarchical birnessite-type MnO2 nanoflakes. The NHCSs in the composite serve not only as the template for the growth of MnO2 nanoflakes, but also as the electrically conductive channel for electrochemical performance enhancement. The physicochemical and electrochemical properties of the MnO2–NHCS composite were significantly enhanced as compared with those of MnO2 hollow spheres (MnO2 HSs). The asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) assembled with MnO2–NHCS anodes and NHCS cathodes exhibited a high energy density of 26.8 W h kg−1 at a power density of 233 W kg−1, which is superior to those of the ASCs assembled with MnO2 HS anodes and NHCS cathodes (13.5 W h kg−1 at 229 W kg−1). The MnO2–NHCS ASCs also show superior cycling stability for 4000 cycles. The enhanced electrochemical performance of the MnO2–NHCSs makes them a promising electrode material for application in supercapacitors and potentially other energy storage devices.