For universal utilization of hydrogen energy, development of high-efficiency, low cost and sustainable energy conversion technologies, especially fuel cells and electrochemical/photoelectrochemical water splitting devices, is of paramount significance. In order to enhance the energy conversion efficiency of water splitting and fuel cell systems, earth-abundant and stable electrocatalysts are essential for accelerating the sluggish kinetics of hydrogen and oxygen reactions. Up to now, noble metal (e. g., Pt, Ir and Ru)-based materials still remain as the benchmark hydrogen and oxygen electrocatalysts. Unfortunately, high cost and scarce reserve of such noble metals seriously hinder their large-scale applications. Recently, intensive study on active centers and nanostructures of carbon-based materials have greatly advanced the rapid development of new classes of carbon-rich electrocatalysts, featuring defined electronic structures of active sites, for example, metal-free carbons, atomic metal-doped carbons, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), as well as conjugated porous polymers. To explore earth-abundant and efficient carbon-rich electrocatalysts, it is pivotal to rationally design their active sites, electronic properties and nanostructures that can offer optimal active sites, abundant accessible surface area, and fast mass transport during the electrochemical processes.<br/>In this lecture, we will present our recent efforts on the design and synthesis of carbon-rich nanomaterials as metal-free or noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for hydrogen and oxygen reactions, particularly including template-directed synthesis of 2D metal organic framework nanosheets, metal-free and noble metal-free carbons, and Cu surface-mediated fabrication of carbon-rich nanofibers. We will highlight the great potential by tailoring active sites and nanostructures as well as to address the fundamental relationships associated with these carbon-rich electrocatalysts.

Carbon-rich electrocatalysts by design and nanostructure engineering

256th National Meeting (2018)

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