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| Open AccessReactant friendly hydrogen evolution interface based on di-anionic MoS2 surface
H2 energy as an alternative to fossil fuels requires cost-effective catalysts with fast kinetics for splitting water. Here, authors design MoS2 materials with di-anionic surfaces to improve the electrocatalytic H2 evolution activities.
- Zhaoyan Luo
- , Hao Zhang
- & Junjie Ge
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Article
| Open AccessA prenucleation strategy for ambient fabrication of perovskite solar cells with high device performance uniformity
Ambient processing of perovskite solar cells is desired but the resulting cell performance is poor due to the negative effects of moisture on film fabrication. Here Zhang et al. propose a prenucleation strategy to overcome the moisture effect, achieving good film quality and high and uniform cell performance.
- Kai Zhang
- , Zheng Wang
- & Shihe Yang
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Article
| Open AccessBenchmark performance of low-cost Sb2Se3 photocathodes for unassisted solar overall water splitting
While photoelectrochemical water splitting offers an integrated means to convert sunlight to a renewable fuel, cost-effective light-absorbers are rare. Here, authors report Sb2Se3 photocathodes for high-performance photoelectrochemical water splitting devices.
- Wooseok Yang
- , Jin Hyun Kim
- & Jooho Moon
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Article
| Open AccessTemplated growth of oriented layered hybrid perovskites on 3D-like perovskites
The orientation of layered perovskites plays a crucial role in their charge transport behavior and hence, the efficiency of related solar cells. Here, the authors find that preformed 3D-like perovskites can efficiently template the growth of layered perovskites and determine their orientation.
- Jifei Wang
- , Shiqiang Luo
- & Yongbo Yuan
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| Open AccessPt-O bond as an active site superior to Pt0 in hydrogen evolution reaction
While converting water to H2 with a catalyst offers a renewable means to produce carbon-neutral fuels, understanding the catalytic active sites has proven challenging. Here, authors show a structurally well-defined model complex with Pt-O bonding to enable efficient H2 evolution electrocatalysis.
- Fei-Yang Yu
- , Zhong-Ling Lang
- & Yang-Guang Li
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| Open AccessAtomically dispersed Pt–N4 sites as efficient and selective electrocatalysts for the chlorine evolution reaction
Chlorine evolution reaction (CER) is a key electrochemical reaction for chemical, pulp, and paper industries, and water treatments. Here, the authors report that an atomically dispersed Pt−N4 site can catalyse CER with high activity and selectivity under a wide range of Cl– concentrations and pH.
- Taejung Lim
- , Gwan Yeong Jung
- & Sang Hoon Joo
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Article
| Open AccessCu2O photocathodes with band-tail states assisted hole transport for standalone solar water splitting
While solar-to-fuel conversion offers a promising technology to produce energy, device components can limit light absorption and reduce performances. Here, authors show copper thiocyanate to assist hole transport in photoelectrodes and enable a 4.55% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency in tandem devices.
- Linfeng Pan
- , Yuhang Liu
- & Anders Hagfeldt
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Article
| Open AccessEfficient electrochemical production of glucaric acid and H2 via glucose electrolysis
Renewable biomass conversion may afford high-value products from common materials, but catalysts usually require expensive metals and exhibit poor selectivities. Here, authors employ nickel-iron oxide and nitride electrocatalysts to produce H2 and to convert glucose to glucaric acid selectively.
- Wu-Jun Liu
- , Zhuoran Xu
- & Han-Qing Yu
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Article
| Open AccessEfficient lateral-structure perovskite single crystal solar cells with high operational stability
Lateral-structured perovskite solar cells are easily integratable for large modules but suffer from less impressive efficiency compared to the sandwich-structured counterparts. Here Song et al. demonstrate stable and 11% efficiency devices under 1 Sun illumination by anode contact treatment.
- Yilong Song
- , Weihui Bi
- & Qingfeng Dong
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| Open AccessHighly efficient all-inorganic perovskite solar cells with suppressed non-radiative recombination by a Lewis base
There has been a hot competition to optimize the device performance for all-inorganic perovskite solar cells. Here Wang et al. employ a Lewis base molecule to suppresses the non-radiative recombination in the inverted device and achieve a champion efficiency of 16.1%.
- Jing Wang
- , Jie Zhang
- & Alex K. Y. Jen
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Article
| Open AccessSub-1.4eV bandgap inorganic perovskite solar cells with long-term stability
Current research focus on the perovskites solar cells (PSCs) is mainly limited to the lead-based ones with bandgaps above 1.5 eV. Here Hu et al. report efficient and stable inorganic tin-containing PSCs, opening doors to exploring abundant perovskite materials with bandgaps lower than 1.4 eV.
- Mingyu Hu
- , Min Chen
- & Yuanyuan Zhou
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Article
| Open AccessPlatinum–copper single atom alloy catalysts with high performance towards glycerol hydrogenolysis
Selective hydrogenolysis of biomass glycerol to propanediol is a promising route for the production of high-value chemicals but remains a challenge. Here, the authors find a PtCu single atom alloy catalyst exhibits remarkably boosted performance with a turnover frequency value of 2.6 × 103 molglycerol·molPtCu–SAA−1·h−1.
- Xi Zhang
- , Guoqing Cui
- & Min Wei
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| Open AccessEfficient upgrading of CO to C3 fuel using asymmetric C-C coupling active sites
Catalysts for CO electroreduction have focused on Cu, and their main products have been C2 chemicals. Here authors use the concept of asymmetric active sites to develop a class of doped Cu catalysts for C-C coupling, delivering record selectivity to n-propanol.
- Xue Wang
- , Ziyun Wang
- & Edward H. Sargent
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Article
| Open AccessNickel-molybdenum nitride nanoplate electrocatalysts for concurrent electrolytic hydrogen and formate productions
Hydrogen production by electrocatalytic water splitting is limited by the sluggish evolution kinetics of low value-oxygen. Here, authors show concurrent electrolytic productions of H2 and glycerol oxidation to formate by utilizing Ni-Mo-N/CFC electro-catalyst as both anodic and cathodic catalysts.
- Yan Li
- , Xinfa Wei
- & Mingyuan He
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| Open AccessAn efficient and stable photoelectrochemical system with 9% solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency via InGaP/GaAs double junction
Photoelectrochemical water-splitting devices with III-V semiconductors are efficient for solar-to-hydrogen conversion, but high costs and poor stability limit applications. Here, authors decouple light harvesting from electrolysis to enhance stability without compromising the efficiency.
- Purushothaman Varadhan
- , Hui-Chun Fu
- & Jr-Hau He
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| Open AccessGeneral technoeconomic analysis for electrochemical coproduction coupling carbon dioxide reduction with organic oxidation
Coupling of carbon dioxide reduction and organic oxidation is promising for sustainable chemicals production; however, economics are impacted by variations in product combinations and process design. Here the authors report technoeconomic analysis for a range of technologies and coproduction processes.
- Jonggeol Na
- , Bora Seo
- & Ung Lee
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Article
| Open AccessRoom-temperature direct synthesis of semi-conductive PbS nanocrystal inks for optoelectronic applications
Providing large-scale iodide capped semi-conductive PbS nanocrystals inks preparation for high-throughput manufacturing remains a challenge. Here, the authors propose a direct one step and scalable synthesis method enabling cost reduction and promoting its commercial viability for solar cells.
- Yongjie Wang
- , Zeke Liu
- & Wanli Ma
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| Open AccessUnassisted solar lignin valorisation using a compartmented photo-electro-biochemical cell
The effective valorisation of lignin is crucial for realizing a sustainable biorefinery. Here, the authors report that a compartmented photo-electro-biochemical design enables unassisted, selective, and stable solar lignin valorisation without the need for any additional bias or chemicals.
- Myohwa Ko
- , Le Thanh Mai Pham
- & Ji-Wook Jang
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| Open AccessA bio-inspired coordination polymer as outstanding water oxidation catalyst via second coordination sphere engineering
Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) process is very important for water oxidation catalysis. Here, the authors introduced uncoordinated carboxylate in the second-coordination-sphere of Ni-Fe coordination polymer catalyst as an internal base to promote the water oxidation kinetics by such PCET process.
- Wenlong Li
- , Fusheng Li
- & Licheng Sun
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| Open AccessAtomic layer deposited Pt-Ru dual-metal dimers and identifying their active sites for hydrogen evolution reaction
Atomically precise control over elemental distributions presents a challenge in the preparation of catalytic nanomaterials. Here the authors report Pt-Ru bimetallic dimer structures through atomic layer deposition process and identify the roles of Pt and Ru in hydrogen evolution reaction.
- Lei Zhang
- , Rutong Si
- & Xueliang Sun
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| Open AccessCollective excitation of plasmon-coupled Au-nanochain boosts photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of semiconductor
Plasmonic effect offers a valuable opportunity to improve the efficiency of semiconductor, photocatalysts. Here, the authors show that the collective excitation of plasmonic metal, nanoparticles is more favorable for enhancing the utilization of plasmonic energy by, semiconductors.
- Guiyang Yu
- , Jun Qian
- & Gang Liu
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| Open AccessReconfiguration of interfacial energy band structure for high-performance inverted structure perovskite solar cells
Charged surface defects are expected to undermine the charge extraction in organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells. Here Zhang et al. design ionic fullerene derivatives to not only passivate the charged defects, but also optimize the interfacial energy due to aligned orientation of the fullerenes.
- Moyao Zhang
- , Qi Chen
- & Yongfang Li
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| Open AccessObservation of a phonon bottleneck in copper-doped colloidal quantum dots
Weak electron-phonon scattering that can enable long-lived hot electrons in semiconductors is of interest in hot carrier solar cells. Here, the authors report copper-doped colloidal cadmium-selenide quantum dots with hot electron lifetime extended by more than 30-fold compared to undoped dots.
- Lifeng Wang
- , Zongwei Chen
- & Kaifeng Wu
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| Open AccessPhotocatalytic water splitting by N-TiO2 on MgO (111) with exceptional quantum efficiencies at elevated temperatures
Chemical fuels, produced from light, afford an alternative to fossil fuel, but conversion materials suffer from low photon-to-fuel efficiencies. Here, authors incorporate gold/N-doped TiO2 on MgO surfaces and show enhanced photocatalytic water splitting performances at elevated temperatures.
- Yiyang Li
- , Yung-Kang Peng
- & Shik Chi Edman Tsang
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Article
| Open AccessDevelopment of a longevous two-species biophotovoltaics with constrained electron flow
Power densities of existing microbial biophotovoltaics (BPV) are low and unendurable. Here, the authors develop a BPV based on d-lactate mediated microbial consortium, which can generate an average power density of 135 mW·m−2 for over 40 days in a spatial-temporal separation setup with medium replenishment.
- Huawei Zhu
- , Hengkai Meng
- & Yin Li
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Article
| Open AccessA high-performance oxygen evolution catalyst in neutral-pH for sunlight-driven CO2 reduction
Solar-to-fuel conversion under mild conditions offers a renewable means to store energy. Here authors report a Brownmillerite oxide for neutral-pH oxygen evolution that, when integrated with an anodized silver cathode, enables a 13.9% energy-conversion efficiency for light-driven CO2 reduction
- Li Qin Zhou
- , Chen Ling
- & Hongfei Jia
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| Open AccessDirect evidence for grain boundary passivation in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells through alkali-fluoride post-deposition treatments
Grain boundaries play critical roles in determining the properties and performance of solar cells based on polycrystalline materials. Here Nicoara et al. showcase that proper treatments passivate defects at grain boundaries by forming secondary material phases with the CIGSe absorbers and lead to higher Voc.
- Nicoleta Nicoara
- , Roby Manaligod
- & Sascha Sadewasser
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Article
| Open AccessIn situ observation of picosecond polaron self-localisation in α-Fe2O3 photoelectrochemical cells
The efficiency of Hematite (α-Fe2O3) photo-anodes is thought to be limited by ultrafast lattice distortions or polarons. Here, we use an optical-control method with photocurrent detection to track small polarons in real time and demonstrate that they impact photoelectrochemical cell activity
- Ernest Pastor
- , Ji-Sang Park
- & Artem A. Bakulin
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| Open AccessCyclic two-step electrolysis for stable electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide to formate
Reduction of carbon dioxide is promising for the production of value-added chemicals, but electrocatalysts are hindered by carbon monoxide poisoning. Here, the authors alternate reduction and oxidation potentials to achieve stable and selective long-term electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to formate.
- Chan Woo Lee
- , Nam Heon Cho
- & Byoung Koun Min
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| Open AccessCarbon dioxide electroreduction to C2 products over copper-cuprous oxide derived from electrosynthesized copper complex
Electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide is attractive for obtaining multicarbon products, but conversion efficiency is low. Here the authors use copper complex materials for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to ethanol and acetic acid with high efficiencies and activities.
- Qinggong Zhu
- , Xiaofu Sun
- & Buxing Han
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Article
| Open AccessStrong light-matter coupling for reduced photon energy losses in organic photovoltaics
Strong light-matter coupling can tune exciton properties but its effect in photovoltaics remains unexplored. Here Nikolis et al. show that the photon energy loss from optical gap to open-circuit voltage can be reduced to unprecedented values by embedding organic solar cells in optical microcavities.
- Vasileios C. Nikolis
- , Andreas Mischok
- & Koen Vandewal
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| Open AccessTailoring the photoelectrochemistry of catalytic metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) photoanodes by a dissolution method
Designing synthetic systems to convert light into fuel is crucial in renewable energy development. Here, authors study electrodissolution in nickel thin films from metal-insulator-semiconductor junctions and find decreased homogeneity to improve junction properties and catalytic performances.
- G. Loget
- , C. Mériadec
- & S. Ababou-Girard
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| Open AccessGallium arsenide solar cells grown at rates exceeding 300 µm h−1 by hydride vapor phase epitaxy
Gallium arsenide holds record efficiency for single junction solar cells, but high production costs limit applications. Here Metaferia et al. show high quality GaAs and GaInP at rates exceeding 300 and 200 micrometers per hour by dynamic hydride vapor phase epitaxy and > 25% efficient solar cells.
- Wondwosen Metaferia
- , Kevin L. Schulte
- & Aaron J. Ptak
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| Open AccessA broadband and strong visible-light-absorbing photosensitizer boosts hydrogen evolution
Converting solar energy to hydrogen fuel requires light-absorbers that well-match the wavelengths of incoming sunlight. Here, authors prepare a broadband visible-light-absorbing molecular complex that efficiently produces hydrogen from water.
- Ping Wang
- , Song Guo
- & Tong-Bu Lu
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| Open AccessNoncovalently fused-ring electron acceptors with near-infrared absorption for high-performance organic solar cells
Recently, the non-fullerene acceptors with fused rings enable high-efficiency organic solar cells but they are not ideal in terms of synthetic cost and yield. Here, Huang et al. report ‘less fused’ acceptors with non-covalent S⋅⋅⋅O interactions and solar cell efficiency of up to 13%.
- Hao Huang
- , Qingxin Guo
- & Zhishan Bo
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| Open AccessFlexible Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells with over 10% efficiency and methods of enlarging the cell area
Flexibility and homogeneity are preferred properties for the kesterite solar modules to compete with silicon counterparts. Here, Yang et al. achieve these properties by designing a thin and multi-layered precursor structure and at the same time increase the open circuit voltage and device efficiency.
- Kee-Jeong Yang
- , Sammi Kim
- & Jin-Kyu Kang
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| Open AccessIsolated single atom cobalt in Bi3O4Br atomic layers to trigger efficient CO2 photoreduction
While the conversion of CO2 to high-value products provides a promising means to remove and utilize atmospheric carbon, few materials can do so without wasteful, sacrificial reagents. Here, authors prepare single-atom Co on Bi3O4Br nanosheets as CO2 reduction catalysts using water and light.
- Jun Di
- , Chao Chen
- & Zheng Liu
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Article
| Open AccessElectrosynthesis of high-entropy metallic glass nanoparticles for designer, multi-functional electrocatalysis
High-entropy metallic glasses are an unexplored class of nanomaterials and are difficult to prepare. Here, the authors present an electrosynthetic method to design these materials with up to eight tunable metallic components and show multifunctional electrocatalytic water splitting capabilities.
- Matthew W. Glasscott
- , Andrew D. Pendergast
- & Jeffrey E. Dick
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Article
| Open AccessSelective light absorber-assisted single nickel atom catalysts for ambient sunlight-driven CO2 methanation
While light-driven CO2 methanation provides a renewable means to upgrade waste emissions, the sunlight is insufficient to drive high temperature CO2 methanation. Here, authors prepare single-atom Ni on Y2O3 with a selective light absorber for ambient-sunlight-driven photothermal CO2 methanation.
- Yaguang Li
- , Jianchao Hao
- & Jinhua Ye
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Article
| Open AccessRationally engineered active sites for efficient and durable hydrogen generation
While hydrogen as a renewable fuel can be produced from water, there is a scarcity of metal-free materials that serve as effective electrocatalysts. Here, authors functionalize carbon fiber cloth with amides to improve hydrogen evolution activities in both acid and alkaline water.
- Yurui Xue
- , Lan Hui
- & Yuliang Li
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Article
| Open AccessGraphite-protected CsPbBr3 perovskite photoanodes functionalised with water oxidation catalyst for oxygen evolution in water
While photoelectrochemical cells may offer access to solar fuels from a single integrated device, halide perovskite photoelectrodes are difficult to use due to their inherent moisture sensitivity. Here, the authors protect perovskite photoanodes with graphite sheets to boost their stability in water.
- Isabella Poli
- , Ulrich Hintermair
- & Petra J. Cameron
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Article
| Open AccessNa-doped ruthenium perovskite electrocatalysts with improved oxygen evolution activity and durability in acidic media
While water splitting may afford a renewable means to store energy in chemical bonds, water oxidation catalysts suffer from poor stabilities in acidic media. Here, authors show sodium doping of strontium ruthenate to improve the catalytic durability while maintaining a high O2 evolution activity.
- María Retuerto
- , Laura Pascual
- & Sergio Rojas
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Article
| Open AccessDifferences in S/G ratio in natural poplar variants do not predict catalytic depolymerization monomer yields
The ratio of syringyl (S) and guaiacyl (G) units in lignin has been regarded as a major factor in determining the maximum monomer yield. Here, the authors challenge this common conception using reductive catalytic fractionation in flow-through reactors as an analytical tool to depolymerize lignin in poplar with naturally varying S/G ratios.
- Eric M. Anderson
- , Michael L. Stone
- & Yuriy Román-Leshkov
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Article
| Open AccessBlack phosphorene as a hole extraction layer boosting solar water splitting of oxygen evolution catalysts
Photoelectrochemical water splitting affords an integrated approach for converting light to fuel, but devices typically suffer poor activities and stabilities. Here, authors incorporate black phosphorene into bismuth vanadate photoanodes to boost hole extraction and device lifetimes.
- Kan Zhang
- , Bingjun Jin
- & Jong Hyeok Park
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Article
| Open AccessSingle platinum atoms embedded in nanoporous cobalt selenide as electrocatalyst for accelerating hydrogen evolution reaction
While water splitting chemistry provides a renewable means to produce carbon-neutral hydrogen fuel, the most efficient catalysts require rare and expensive platinum. Here, authors prepare single-atom platinum on cobalt selenide as a high-performance hydrogen evolution electrocatalyst.
- Kang Jiang
- , Boyang Liu
- & Yongwen Tan
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| Open AccessBoosting oxygen evolution of single-atomic ruthenium through electronic coupling with cobalt-iron layered double hydroxides
While water splitting offers a carbon-neutral means to store energy, water oxidation is sluggish and corrosive over earth-abundant electrocatalysts. Here, authors show single ruthenium atoms over cobalt-iron layered double hydroxides to be effective and stable oxygen evolution electrocatalysts.
- Pengsong Li
- , Maoyu Wang
- & Xiaoming Sun
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Article
| Open AccessIn-situ local phase-transitioned MoSe2 in La0.5Sr0.5CoO3-δ heterostructure and stable overall water electrolysis over 1000 hours
While catalysts are necessary for H2 and O2 production from water, developing materials capable of evolving both under the same conditions has proven challenging. Here, authors prepare perovskite-oxide and molybdenum sulfide heterostructures as bifunctional water-splitting electrocatalysts.
- Nam Khen Oh
- , Changmin Kim
- & Hyesung Park
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Article
| Open AccessModulating the mechanism of electrocatalytic CO2 reduction by cobalt phthalocyanine through polymer coordination and encapsulation
Understanding the mechanism behind CO2 reduction catalysis is crucial in the development of high efficiency and activity catalysts. Here, authors employ kinetic isotope effects and proton inventory studies to assess catalyst mechanism and proton delivery in molecular CO2 electroreduction materials.
- Yingshuo Liu
- & Charles C. L. McCrory
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Article
| Open AccessThe simplest construction of single-site catalysts by the synergism of micropore trapping and nitrogen anchoring
Single-atom catalysts maximize atom usage within supports, but preparations can be complex. Here, authors show a facile impregnation-adsorption method to attach single noble-metal atoms to N-doped porous carbon and demonstrate strong electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution performances for Pt catalysts.
- Zhiqi Zhang
- , Yugang Chen
- & Zheng Hu