Emerging 2D Materials for Catalytic Water Splitting and Carbon Dioxide Reduction

Dear Colleagues,

Two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), black phosphorus, boron nitride, topological insulators, and MXenes, possess atomic thinness, resulting in distinctive properties compared to their bulk forms. These materials show promise for catalysis due to their exceptional electronic, optical, and mechanical attributes. With their high surface area, good electrical conductivity, and adjustable band gaps, 2D materials prove effective in electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. In electrocatalysis, graphene, TMDs, and MXenes exhibit efficiency in reactions such as the oxygen reduction reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and CO₂ reduction reaction (CO2RR), owing to their ample surface area and electrical conductivity, facilitating efficient charge transfer during reactions. Recently, 2D topological insulators have garnered attention for catalytic water splitting and CO₂ reduction, thanks to their unique surface electronic properties. Surface modification techniques such as doping, hybridization, and functionalization significantly enhance the adsorption properties of 2D materials, thus accelerating catalytic activity. In photocatalysis, 2D materials are explored for water splitting and CO2 reduction, leveraging their tunable band gaps to absorb light and generate electron–hole pairs, which drive catalytic reactions. Overall, the exceptional surface area, electrical conductivity, and tunable band gaps of 2D materials make them promising candidates for both electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. Ongoing research aims to optimize their properties and performance for specific applications, unveiling their unique catalytic mechanisms. The ongoing research strives to enhance the properties and performance of 2D materials for targeted reactions and applications while also uncovering their distinct catalytic mechanisms.

The primary focus of this Special Issue is emerging 2D materials for catalytic water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction. We consider this Special Issue crucial both theoretically and practically to pave the way for an environmentally friendly and pollution-free future.

Dr. Sanjit Saha
Dr. Subhasis Shit
Dr. Tapas Kuila
Guest Editors

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