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Synthesis and Applications of Novel Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials in Catalysis
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Synthesis and Applications of Novel Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials in Catalysis

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 14097

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

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Keywords

  • low-dimensional nanomaterials
  • electrocatalysis
  • energy storage
  • carbon nanomaterials
  • photocatalysis

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 8746 KiB  
Article
Self-Assembly Strategy for Synthesis of WO3@TCN Heterojunction: Efficient for Photocatalytic Degradation and Hydrogen Production via Water Splitting
by Li Zhou, Wenjie Zhang, Zezhao Huang, Feng Hu, Peng Li and Xiaoquan Yao
Molecules 2025, 30(2), 379; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30020379 - 17 Jan 2025
Viewed by 286
Abstract
Herein, a WO3@TCN photocatalyst was successfully synthesized using a self-assembly method, which demonstrated effectiveness in degrading organic dyestuffs and photocatalytic evolution of H2. The synergistic effect between WO3 and TCN, along with the porous structure of TCN, facilitated [...] Read more.
Herein, a WO3@TCN photocatalyst was successfully synthesized using a self-assembly method, which demonstrated effectiveness in degrading organic dyestuffs and photocatalytic evolution of H2. The synergistic effect between WO3 and TCN, along with the porous structure of TCN, facilitated the formation of a heterojunction that promoted the absorption of visible light, accelerated the interfacial charge transfer, and inhibited the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. This led to excellent photocatalytic performance of 3%WO3@TCN in degrading TC and catalyzing H2 evolution from water splitting under visible-light irradiation. After modulation, the optimal 3%WO3@TCN exhibited a maximal degradation rate constant that was twofold higher than that of TCN alone and showed continuous H2 generation in the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Mechanistic studies revealed that •O2− constituted the major active species for the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline. Experimental and DFT results verified the electronic transmission direction of WO3@TCN heterojunction. Overall, this study facilitates the structural design of green TCN-based heterojunction photocatalysts and expands the application of TCN in the diverse photocatalytic processes. Additionally, this study offers valuable insights into strategically employing acid regulation modulation to enhance the performance of carbon nitride-based photocatalysts by altering the topography of WO3@TCN composite material dramatically. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Applications of Novel Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials in Catalysis)
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13 pages, 3624 KiB  
Article
Rapid Preparation of Platinum Catalyst in Low-Temperature Molten Salt Using Microwave Method for Formic Acid Catalytic Oxidation Reaction
by Haidong Zhao, Xiaoyan Hu, Hongbiao Ling, Ji Li, Weixu Wang, Jingtao Guo, Rui Liu, Chao Lv, Zhen Lu and Yong Guo
Molecules 2024, 29(21), 5128; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29215128 - 30 Oct 2024
Viewed by 780
Abstract
In this paper, platinum nanoparticles with a size of less than 50 nm were rapidly and successfully synthesized in low-temperature molten salt using a microwave method. The morphology and structure of the product were characterized by SEM, TEM, EDX, XRD, etc. The TEM [...] Read more.
In this paper, platinum nanoparticles with a size of less than 50 nm were rapidly and successfully synthesized in low-temperature molten salt using a microwave method. The morphology and structure of the product were characterized by SEM, TEM, EDX, XRD, etc. The TEM and SEM results showed that the prepared product was a nanostructure with concave and uniform size. The EDX result indicated that the product was pure Pt, and the XRD pattern showed that the diffraction peaks of the product were consistent with the standard spectrum of platinum. The obtained Pt/C nanoparticles exhibited remarkable electrochemical performance in a formic acid catalytic oxidation reaction (FAOR), with a peak mass current density of 502.00 mA·mg−1Pt and primarily following the direct catalytic oxidation pathway. In addition, in the chronoamperometry test, after 24 h, the mass-specific activity value of the Pt concave NPs/C catalyst (10.91 mA·mg−1Pt) was approximately 4.5 times that of Pt/C (JM) (2.35 mA·mg−1Pt). The Pt/C NPs exhibited much higher formic acid catalytic activity and stability than commercial Pt/C. The microwave method can be extended to the preparation of platinum-based alloys as well as other catalysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Applications of Novel Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials in Catalysis)
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20 pages, 24444 KiB  
Article
Preparation and Photocatalytic Performance of In2O3/Bi2WO6 Type II Heterojunction Composite Materials
by Xiuping Zhang, Fengqiu Qin, Yuanyuan Zhong, Tian Xiao, Qiang Yu, Xiaodong Zhu, Wei Feng and Zhiyong Qi
Molecules 2024, 29(20), 4911; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29204911 - 17 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 763
Abstract
Bismuth-based photocatalytic materials have been widely used in the field of photocatalysis in recent years due to their unique layered structure. However, single bismuth-based photocatalytic materials are greatly limited in their photocatalytic performance due to their poor response to visible light and easy [...] Read more.
Bismuth-based photocatalytic materials have been widely used in the field of photocatalysis in recent years due to their unique layered structure. However, single bismuth-based photocatalytic materials are greatly limited in their photocatalytic performance due to their poor response to visible light and easy recombination of photogenerated charges. At present, constructing semiconductor heterojunctions is an effective modification method that improves quantum efficiency by promoting the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. In this study, the successful preparation of an In2O3/Bi2WO6 (In2O3/BWO) II-type semiconductor heterojunction composite material was achieved. XRD characterization was performed to conduct a phase analysis of the samples, SEM and TEM characterization for a morphology analysis of the samples, and DRS and XPS testing for optical property and elemental valence state analyses of the samples. In the II-type semiconductor junction system, photogenerated electrons (e−) on the In2O3 conduction band (CB) migrate to the BWO CB, while holes (h+) on the BWO valence band (VB) transfer to the In2O3 VB, promoting the separation of photoinduced charges, raising the quantum efficiency. When the molar ratio of In2O3/BWO is 2:6, the photocatalytic degradation degree of rhodamine B (RhB) is 59.4% (44.0% for BWO) after 60 min illumination, showing the best photocatalytic activity. After four cycles, the degradation degree of the sample was 54.3%, which is 91.4% of that of the first photocatalytic degradation experiment, indicating that the sample has good reusability. The XRD results of 2:6 In2O3/BWO before and after the cyclic experiments show that the positions and intensities of its diffraction peaks did not change significantly, indicating excellent structural stability. The active species experiment results imply that h+ is the primary species. Additionally, this study proposes a mechanism for the separation, migration, and photocatalysis of photoinduced charges in II-type semiconductor junctions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Applications of Novel Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials in Catalysis)
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10 pages, 2705 KiB  
Article
NiS2/NiS/Mn2O3 Nanofibers with Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Reaction Activity
by Bin Yang, Xinyao Ding, Lifeng Feng and Mingyi Zhang
Molecules 2024, 29(16), 3892; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29163892 - 17 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1034
Abstract
The development of efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts is crucial for achieving a green hydrogen economy through electrocatalytic water splitting. Herein, we report an excellent catalyst, one-dimensional NiS2/NiS/Mn2O3 nanofibers prepared by electrospinning, which exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance in an [...] Read more.
The development of efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts is crucial for achieving a green hydrogen economy through electrocatalytic water splitting. Herein, we report an excellent catalyst, one-dimensional NiS2/NiS/Mn2O3 nanofibers prepared by electrospinning, which exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance in an alkaline solution. We explored effective strategies to construct one-dimensional nanostructures and composite oxides to promote the electrocatalytic performance of transition metal dichalcogenides. At a current density of 20 mA cm−2, it requires an overpotential of 333 mV for OER. Furthermore, NiS2/NiS/Mn2O3 nanofibers maintain good durability even after 1000 cycles. The long-term electrochemical stability test of the catalyst NiS2/NiS/Mn2O3 was implemented at 20 mA cm−2 for 12 h. The potential remained at 99.52%. Therefore, this study demonstrates that NiS2/NiS/Mn2O3 can serve as a viable green hydrogen production electrocatalyst. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Applications of Novel Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials in Catalysis)
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12 pages, 2312 KiB  
Article
Aqueous Synthesis of Au10Pt1 Nanorods Decorated with MnO2 Nanosheets for the Enhanced Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Methanol
by Ting Li, Yidan Liu, Yibin Huang, Zhong Yu and Lei Huang
Molecules 2024, 29(16), 3753; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29163753 - 7 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 820
Abstract
Developing novel catalysts with high activity and high stability for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) is of great importance for the ever-broader applications of methanol fuel cells. Herein, we present a facile technique for synthesizing Au10Pt1@MnO2 catalysts using [...] Read more.
Developing novel catalysts with high activity and high stability for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) is of great importance for the ever-broader applications of methanol fuel cells. Herein, we present a facile technique for synthesizing Au10Pt1@MnO2 catalysts using a wet chemical method and investigate their catalytic performance for the MOR. Notably, the Au10Pt1@MnO2-M composite demonstrated a significantly high peak mass activity of 15.52 A mg(Pt)−1, which is 35.3, 57.5, and 21.9 times greater than those of the Pt/C (0.44 A mg(Pt)−1), Pd/C (0.27 A mg(Pt)−1), and Au10Pt1 (0.71 A mg(Pt)−1) catalysts, respectively. Comparative analysis with commercial Pt/C and Pd/C catalysts, as well as Au10Pt1 HSNRs, revealed that the Au10Pt1@MnO2-M composite exhibited the lowest initial potential, the highest peak current density, and superior CO anti-poisoning capability. The results demonstrate that the introduction of MnO2 nanosheets, with excellent oxidation capability, not only significantly increases the reactive sites, but also promotes the reaction kinetics of the catalyst. Furthermore, the high surface area of the MnO2 nanosheets facilitates charge transfer and induces modifications in the electronic structure of the composite. This research provides a straightforward and effective strategy for the design of efficient electrocatalytic nanostructures for MOR applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Applications of Novel Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials in Catalysis)
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9 pages, 2538 KiB  
Communication
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 1522
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 [...] Read more.
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 iRu 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 Catalysis)
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Review

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44 pages, 15209 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances on Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials Supported Single-Atom for Hydrogen Evolution Electrocatalysts
by Kangkai Fu, Douke Yuan, Ting Yu, Chaojun Lei, Zhenhui Kou, Bingfeng Huang, Siliu Lyu, Feng Zhang and Tongtao Wan
Molecules 2024, 29(18), 4304; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29184304 - 11 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1609
Abstract
Water electrolysis has been recognized as a promising technology that can convert renewable energy into hydrogen for storage and utilization. The superior activity and low cost of catalysis are key factors in promoting the industrialization of water electrolysis. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted [...] Read more.
Water electrolysis has been recognized as a promising technology that can convert renewable energy into hydrogen for storage and utilization. The superior activity and low cost of catalysis are key factors in promoting the industrialization of water electrolysis. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted attention due to their ultra-high atomic utilization, clear structure, and highest hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance. In addition, the performance and stability of single-atom (SA) substrates are crucial, and various two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial supports have become promising foundations for SA due to their unique exposed surfaces, diverse elemental compositions, and flexible electronic structures, to drive single atoms to reach performance limits. The SA supported by 2D nanomaterials exhibits various electronic interactions and synergistic effects, all of which need to be comprehensively summarized. This article aims to organize and discuss the progress of 2D nanomaterial single-atom supports in enhancing HER, including common and widely used synthesis methods, advanced characterization techniques, different types of 2D supports, and the correlation between structural hydrogen evolution performance. Finally, the latest understanding of 2D nanomaterial supports was proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Applications of Novel Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials in Catalysis)
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20 pages, 3634 KiB  
Review
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
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1822
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 [...] Read more.
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 Catalysis)
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20 pages, 9154 KiB  
Review
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
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4663
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 [...] Read more.
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 Catalysis)
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