Molecules

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Synthesis and Applications of Novel Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials in Electrocatalysis

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Lu Lu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Paris Curie Engineer School, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
Interests: nanomaterials; electrocatalysis

Prof. Dr. Xingcai Wu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry, Ministry of Education of China, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Interests: nanochemistry; photodetction; electrocatalysis; catalytical combustion; gas sensors; photoluminescence; Li ion batteries; energy storage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Low-dimensional nanomaterials have emerged as some of the most promising candidates for heterogeneous electrocatalysts due to their unique physical, chemical, and electronic properties. Various low-dimensional nanomaterials have been constructed and applied as electrocatalysts in the water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles.

This Special Issue aims to provide a broad survey of the most recent advances in low-dimensional nanomaterials and their applications in electrocatalysis. We invite researchers in this field to submit original research articles or reviews that discuss different engineering strategies for low-dimensional nanomaterials and these strategies have the influence on intrinsic electrocatalytic performance, such as electronic properties and adsorption energetics, and their applications in diverse electrochemical reactions are welcome.

Dr. Lu Lu
Prof. Dr. Xingcai Wu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

low-dimensional nanomaterials
electrocatalysis
energy storage
carbon nanomaterials

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Review

9 pages, 2538 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Concerns on the Effects of Electrode Positions in Electrolyte Container for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

by Fan Zhang, Yayun Zhao, Xiaofeng Chen, Shengxiao Zhao, Junjie Zhou, Zhiyi Lu and Yichao Lin

Molecules 2023, 28(24), 8143; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28248143 - 18 Dec 2023

Viewed by 795

Abstract

Water electrolysis is currently a major technique to produce clean hydrogen, which is regarded as a promising and sustainable energy carrier. The efficiency of water electrolysis is highly dependent on the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on the anode. The evaluation of an OER electrocatalyst is frequently carried out on a three-electrode system in a container of electrolyte. Herein, we found that the electrode positions in the electrolyte container could significantly affect the data acquisition of OER performance. After a detailed investigation, we reveal that the difference of the OER activity of an electrocatalyst at a different position is originated from their different iR_u drop and the gas diffusion resistance. For the first time, this work evokes concerns on the accurate evaluation of electrocatalysts regarding the electrode position. For fair comparisons and reliable results, it is strongly suggested to keep the electrode position unchanged in the electrochemical measurements. In addition, the establishment of a standard electrolyzer setup for electrocatalysis evaluation in the electrochemical community is also called for. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Applications of Novel Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials in Electrocatalysis)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

20 pages, 3634 KiB

Open AccessReview

Heteronuclear Dual Metal Atom Electrocatalysts for Water-Splitting Reactions

by Lu Lu and Xingcai Wu

Molecules 2024, 29(8), 1812; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29081812 - 16 Apr 2024

Viewed by 544

Abstract

Hydrogen is considered a promising substitute for traditional fossil fuels because of its widespread sources, high calorific value of combustion, and zero carbon emissions. Electrocatalytic water-splitting to produce hydrogen is also deemed to be an ideal approach; however, it is a challenge to make highly efficient and low-cost electrocatalysts. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are considered the most promising candidate to replace traditional noble metal catalysts. Compared with SACs, dual-atom catalysts (DACs) are capable of greater attraction, including higher metal loading, more versatile active sites, and excellent catalytic activity. In this review, several general synthetic strategies and structural characterization methods of DACs are introduced, and recent experimental advances in water-splitting reactions are discussed. The authors hope that this review provides insights and inspiration to researchers regarding DACs in electrocatalytic water-splitting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Applications of Novel Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials in Electrocatalysis)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 9154 KiB

Open AccessReview

RuO₂ Catalysts for Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution in Acidic Media: Mechanism, Activity Promotion Strategy and Research Progress

by Jirong Bai, Wangkai Zhou, Jinnan Xu, Pin Zhou, Yaoyao Deng, Mei Xiang, Dongsheng Xiang and Yaqiong Su

Molecules 2024, 29(2), 537; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29020537 - 22 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1216

Abstract

Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (PEMWE) under acidic conditions outperforms alkaline water electrolysis in terms of less resistance loss, higher current density, and higher produced hydrogen purity, which make it more economical in long-term applications. However, the efficiency of PEMWE is severely limited by the slow kinetics of anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER), poor catalyst stability, and high cost. Therefore, researchers in the past decade have made great efforts to explore cheap, efficient, and stable electrode materials. Among them, the RuO₂ electrocatalyst has been proved to be a major promising alternative to Ir-based catalysts and the most promising OER catalyst owing to its excellent electrocatalytic activity and high pH adaptability. In this review, we elaborate two reaction mechanisms of OER (lattice oxygen mechanism and adsorbate evolution mechanism), comprehensively summarize and discuss the recently reported RuO₂-based OER electrocatalysts under acidic conditions, and propose many advanced modification strategies to further improve the activity and stability of RuO₂-based electrocatalytic OER. Finally, we provide suggestions for overcoming the challenges faced by RuO₂ electrocatalysts in practical applications and make prospects for future research. This review provides perspectives and guidance for the rational design of highly active and stable acidic OER electrocatalysts based on PEMWE. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Applications of Novel Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials in Electrocatalysis)

► Show Figures