Themed collection Editor’s Choice: Nanomaterials for catalysis

Recent advances in the studies of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on graphene-based transition metal oxide nanocomposites are reviewed with emphasis on the morphologies and interactions between graphene and the supported component.

This review illustrates current computational approaches to finding catalytic materials for CO₂ thermocatalytic and electrocatalytic reduction.

The composition of MOFs not only shows enhanced properties, but also broadens the applications of MOFs to new fields owing to the interactions of functional species with the MOF structures. This review will discuss the fabrication, properties, and applications of MOF composites. The remaining challenges and future opportunities in this field have also been indicated.

Hollow CoP nanopaticle/N-doped graphene hybrids as highly active and stable bifunctional catalysts for full water splitting are favorably comparable to the performance of Pt/C and IrO₂.

Co-doped NiSe₂ nanoparticles film electrodeposited on Ti plate (Co_0.13Ni_0.87Se₂/Ti) acts as a robust water-splitting electrocatalyst in 1.0 M KOH, driving 10 mA cm⁻² at HER overpotential of 64 mV and 100 mA cm⁻² at OER overpotential of 320 mV.

The present communication reports the topotactic conversion of a NiCo₂O₄ nanowire array on carbon cloth (NiCo₂O₄ NA/CC) into NiCo₂S₄ NA/CC, which is used as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for water splitting with good durability and superior activity in 1.0 M KOH.

A heterostructured photocatalyst comprised of few-layered MoS₂ nanosheets coated on a TiO₂ nanobelts surface was synthesized through a simple hydrothermal treatment.

We compare the catalytic performance of electrodes consisting of porous arrays of liquid exfoliated MX₂ nanosheets (M = Mo, W; X = S, Se, Te) and find a clear hierarchy with selenides > sulphides > tellurides.

An ultrasonication-assisted in situ deposition strategy was developed to realize uniform Ag nanoparticles dispersed on TiO₂ nanotube arrays (Ag@TiO₂ NTAs).

Fluorescein-sensitized Ag/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites have a remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production under visible light.

The surface oxygen concentration of {111} exposed sub-10 nm sized ceria nanocrystals was tuned by indium doping for achieving excellent photocatalytic activities.

Core–shell cobalt sulphide/N,S-codoped porous carbon nanocomposites exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activities in both ORR and OER with superior durability.

Novel carbon quantum dot (CQD) modified Bi₂MoO₆ photocatalysts were prepared by a facile hydrothermal process. The key roles of CQDs in the enhanced photocatalytic performance were explored in detail.

Herein we report a Cu₂O–TiO₂/rGO photocatalyst with phenomenal water splitting ability.

6-mercaptohexanoic (MHA) protected Au₂₅(MHA)₁₈ nanoclusters deposited on HAP, Degussa P25, AC, PGO and fumed SiO₂ were all prepared via a conventional impregnation method.

Porous metallic MoO₂-supported MoS₂ nanosheets exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity for HER and robust electrochemical durability.

Honeycomb-like g-C₃N₄ synthesized via thermal condensation of urea with the addition of water at low temperature, with ultralong carrier lifetime and outstanding photocatalytic activity for NOx removal.

A facile method is developed for the fabrication of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles decorated carbon nanofibers, which enable significant improvement of rechargeable Zn-air batteries with respect to rate capability, cycling stability and energy density.

Hollow nanospheres with N-doped carbon shells and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles prepared by one-pot doping exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performances for ORR.

BiOBr/Bi₂₄O₃₁Br₁₀ heterojunctions are fabricated via ionic liquid self-combustion and show exceptional adsorptive and photocatalytic activities towards cationic and anionic dyes.