Journal of Materials Chemistry A Editor’s choice web collection: “Recent advances in solar fuels and photocatalysis research”
Frank E. Osterloh introduces a Journal of Materials Chemistry A Editor’s choice web collection on recent advances in solar fuels and photocatalysis research (https://rsc.li/PhotoCat).
Two-dimensional nanosheets for electrocatalysis in energy generation and conversion
2D materials for the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, and CO2 reduction are critically reviewed.
Recent progress in carbon quantum dots: synthesis, properties and applications in photocatalysis
The recent progress in the synthesis, properties and photocatalytic applications of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) has been elaborately demonstrated, and some perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for future exploration in this arena are discussed.
Review Article
A review on noble-metal-free bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts for overall electrochemical water splitting
This review summarizes recent research progress and perspectives on noble-metal-free bifunctional heterogeneous electrocatalysts towards hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions in overall water splitting.
Nanostructured catalysts for electrochemical water splitting: current state and prospects
The fundamentals of water electrolysis, current popular electrocatalysts developed for cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in liquid electrolyte water electrolysis are reviewed and discussed.
High-performance urea electrolysis towards less energy-intensive electrochemical hydrogen production using a bifunctional catalyst electrode
Ni2P nanoflake arrays on carbon cloth act as an efficient and durable catalyst electrode for the urea oxidation reaction (UOR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Its two-electrode alkaline electrolyzer needs 1.35 V for 50 mA cm−2, which is 0.58 V less than that required for pure water splitting.
In situ confined synthesis of molybdenum oxide decorated nickel–iron alloy nanosheets from MoO42− intercalated layered double hydroxides for the oxygen evolution reaction
This work reports molybdenum oxide decorated NiFe alloy nanosheets with high OER activity by reducing MoO42− intercalated nickel–iron layered double hydroxides (LDHs).
Electropolymerized supermolecule derived N, P co-doped carbon nanofiber networks as a highly efficient metal-free electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Electropolymerized supermolecule derived N, P co-doped carbon as a highly efficient metal-free HER catalyst.
CoP2 nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide sheets as a super-efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for full water splitting
CoP2 nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide sheet (CoP2/RGO) acts as a super-efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for full water splitting.
Ni12P5 nanoparticles embedded into porous g-C3N4 nanosheets as a noble-metal-free hetero-structure photocatalyst for efficient H2 production under visible light
Colloidally synthesized Ni12P5 nanoparticles were embedded into g-C3N4 nanosheets via a solution-phase approach. The Ni12P5/g-C3N4 photocatalysts manifested significantly improved noble-metal-free H2 evolution.
Controlled synthesis of Mo-doped Ni3S2 nano-rods: an efficient and stable electro-catalyst for water splitting
Fabrication of stable, efficient, and inexpensive bifunctional electro-catalysts for water splitting has become increasingly attractive.
High oxygen reduction activity on a metal–organic framework derived carbon combined with high degree of graphitization and pyridinic-N dopants
A type of metal–organic framework derived carbon combined with high density of pyridinic-N dopants and high degree of graphitization was prepared for effective oxygen reduction.
Two-step synthesis of binary Ni–Fe sulfides supported on nickel foam as highly efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction
A facile two-step method has been used to synthesize binary Ni–Fe sulfides supported on nickel foam (NF) as electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
MXene: a promising photocatalyst for water splitting
Identifying suitable photocatalysts for photocatalytic water splitting to produce hydrogen fuel via sunlight is an arduous task by the traditional trial-and-error method.
Facile strategy for controllable synthesis of stable mesoporous black TiO2 hollow spheres with efficient solar-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Stable mesoporous black TiO2 hollow spheres with controllable diameter, wall thickness and narrow bandgap are fabricated via a small amine molecules encircling strategy, showing high solar-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.
About this collection
This first in a series of JMC A Editor’s choice collections focusses on solar fuel generation and photocatalysis research.
The journal’s Associate Editor Frank E. Osterloh (University of California, Davis, USA) has gathered together the journal’s most outstanding recent papers in solar fuel generators and in photocatalysts.
In order to highlight developments in solar fuel generators and in photocatalysts, this online collection summarizes recent experimental papers and reviews published on the topic.